USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 28
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which has for its purpose the acquisition of the water company's plant.
Mr. Pendleton is president of the Associated Charities Associa- tion of Oakland, which is affiliated with the city government, and he is a member of several clubs and organizations, among which are the Nile Club, the University Club of San Francisco and the Sons of the American Revolution. He stands for progress at all times and seeks his own success and the city's advancement along lines of activity which will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
NORMAN LOGAN.
Norman Logan, prominently connected with business interests of San Francisco and until lately secretary of the Northern Electric Company, was born in London, England, October 20, 1864, a son of William G. and Mary Louisa (Canham) Logan, also natives of that city. The father was for many years manager of Coutts & Company of London, England, the largest private banking establishment in the world, and was financial adviser to the Duchess of Teck, the mother of the present queen of England. He was one of the most prominent financiers in Great Britain and his ability carried him forward into important relations with banking interests and with gen- eral business life. He died in 1896. His wife was a daughter of John and Mary Canham, of London, England, and a granddaughter of John Canham, collector of the port of London for many years.
Norman Logan acquired his education in Aldenham, Hertford- shire, England, in one of the Elizabethan schools founded by Richard Platt during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. From this institution he was graduated in 1881 and after laying aside his books became interested in the real-estate business as an employe of the firm of Rogers, Chapman & Thomas, of London, with whom he remained for five years, proving himself even at this early period, reliable, re- sourceful and discriminating in business affairs. When he left Eng- land Mr. Logan came to California, settling in Eldorado county in 1887. He came to this country in order to take charge of a mining property owned by his father and in this way became interested in mines and mining, gradually concentrating his attention upon this line of work. In the latter part of 1887 he took charge of a mine in Placer county in the interests of an English syndicate and this he continued to operate until 1889, when he returned to England in
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order to place the Mammoth Bar mine on the English market. Re- turning to America in 1892, he settled again in California, purchas- ing a ranch in Placer county and engaging in farming and mining until 1901, moving to various parts of the southwest from California to New Mexico during that time. Late in the latter year he joined E. R. Cowles and under the firm name of Cowles & Logan they en- gaged in the commission business, Mr. Logan retiring from this con- nection in 1906. In the same year he entered the auditing depart- ment of the Ocean Shore Railroad in San Francisco and in May joined the Northern Electric Company as assistant secretary, win- ning promotion to the position of secretary in 1907. This connec- tion has called forth his initiative and executive ability, much of the credit for the advancement and progress of the concern being due to him. He possesses organizing power, ability to coordinate different forces and to carry forward a difficult business project to successful completion, and these qualities have all been elements in a success which places him in the front ranks of progressive and able business men.
Mr. Logan married Miss Lilian Leigh, a daughter of Frederick and Sarah Leigh, of Southampton, England, and they have two children: Shirley Muriel, aged nineteen; and Kenneth Norman, seventeen. Mr. Logan is an enthusiastic cricketer and is not only a member of the Alameda Cricket Club but is vice president of the Alameda Cricket Association. He is a member of the Olympic and the Merchants Exchange Clubs of San Francisco and does all in his power to promote general business expansion and progress. He has himself reached a creditable place in business circles, for he is broad- minded, progressive and enterprising and a valuable addition to the ranks of San Francisco's able and successful men.
JEWETT CASTELLO GILSON.
Jewett Castello Gilson, educator, business man and author, was born in the town of Rockingham, Windham county, Vermont, May 23, 1844. He acquired his education in the public schools and colleges of New England, attending Amherst College and sub- sequently pursuing a course of study in the astronomical department of Harvard University. When seventeen years of age he took up the profession of teaching and was an instructor in the common schools of Vermont and New Hampshire. For two years he taught
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mathematics in the Green Mountain Institute of South Woodstock, Vermont, and for a similar period acted as principal of Allegany Institute at Almond, New York. He came to California in 1869 and for two years taught school at Irvington, while for seven years he was thus identified with educational interests at Pleasanton. In 1877 he was elected superintendent of the Alameda county schools and served in that capacity for three years, resigning to accept the position of superintendent of the Oakland city schools and acting thus for two terms. He then established a private normal and spe- cial training school in Hamilton Hall, which he had purchased in the meantime. This private institution was conducted by him for twelve years or until he was elected principal of the Swett school of Oakland, which position he held for nine years. On the expira- tion of that period he was transferred to the principalship of the Longfellow school, which institution he has ably served in that capacity for the past five years. As a side issue Mr. Gilson has for many years been interested in the electrical business. At the present time he acts as vice president of the Pacific States Electric Com- pany, which has business houses in the five largest cities on the Pa- cific coast, namely : San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland and Seattle. He has found time for travel as a means of recreation and has also made contributions to the public press. He is the author of "Wealth of the World's Waste Places," a work published by the Scribners in 1913. He is especially interested in scientific and nature studies, having written many articles along those lines.
In 1872, at Ogden, Utah, Mr. Gilson was united in marriage to Miss Carrie T. Greene. His three children, Dr. Ray E., Cass L. and Rosse M. Gilson, reside in Oakland, where they are engaged in business.
GEORGE H. BINKLEY.
George H. Binkley, chief engineer maintenance of way and struc- tures department of the San Francisco-Oakland Terminal Railway, was born in Richmond, Indiana, November 23, 1866, a son of Charles C. and Georgia H. Binkley. He attended the public schools until 1883, and upon leaving the high school entered De Pauw University at Greencastle, Indiana, where he pursued an engineer- ing course until 1886.
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He next engaged with the Pennsylvania Railroad in the engineer- ing department on preliminary and location surveys and construction and maintenance work, being thus engaged in Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania until 1891, when he went to Chicago. There he was placed in charge of the surveys and grades depart- ment of the World's Columbian Exposition. In October, 1894, he entered into active connection with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- road, having charge of the design of subways in their joint track elevation work in Chicago. He was thus occupied until 1895, when he became connected with the bureau of streets of Chicago as assist- ant engineer. In the fall of the same year he entered into a contract with the Calumet Electric Railway of Chicago, having charge of all the construction and maintenance of track and overhead work until 1900. His next business association was with Kohler Brothers, contracting engineers, in the capacity of chief engineer of their rail- way department. He thus remained until 1904, when the went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he organized and managed the Hadley Derrick Company until 1905. He next became vice president and chief engineer of the American Engineering Company of Indianap- olis, and in 1906 he went to Chicago, where he took charge of the construction and operation of the Southern Traction Company. In 1907 he engaged with the Arnold Company as engineer, having charge of several of their projects, embracing irrigation, electric railway and hydro-electric plants. There he continued until 1912, when he went to Phoenix, Arizona, as chief engineer with the Chandler Improvement Company, having charge of all their oper- ations except sales of lands until May, 1913. Early in 1914 he accepted the superintendency of engineering and maintenance of way for the San Francisco-Oakland Terminal Railway in Oakland. Each step in his business career has been a forward one, bringing him broader opportunities and a wider outlook. Important proj- ects have been intrusted to his care and scientific and practical knowledge has enabled him to cope with intricate and involved problems.
In Richmond, Indiana, on the 27th of June, 1893, Mr. Binkley was united in marriage to Miss Bertha K. Line, and unto them have been born three children: Joanna, at home; George Holland, fifteen years of age, who is attending high school; and Margaret, who is a public school pupil. Mr. Binkley holds membership with the Masonic fraternity. He has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is likewise a member of the Mystic Shrine.
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He belongs to the Phi Gamma Delta college fraternity, and he gives his political support to the republican party. Along strictly pro- fessional lines his connection is with the Western Society of Engi- neers and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He stands among those whose ability has spelled prominence and distinction in his chosen calling, his record being an honor to the profession.
JUDGE HENRY A. MELVIN.
Judge Henry A. Melvin, eminent lawyer and jurist, has been a member of the California bar since 1892. The public offices which he has held have always been in the strict path of his profession, in connection with which he has won high judicial honors.
He was born September 28, 1865, in Springfield, Illinois, and traces his ancestry back to one of the oldest Maryland families. His grandfather, James Melvin, was born in Cecil county, Mary- land, and died in Oakland, California. From early childhood he was a devout member of the Presbyterian church, the religious faith of the family being in accordance with the tenets of that denomina- tion. While visiting his kinsmen, General Robert and Colonel William Patterson, of Philadelphia, Irishmen and Presbyterians, he met a Miss McMillan, a beautiful woman, who had gone to Philadelphia from her home in Belfast, Ireland. They were mar- ried and established their home in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, near the southern border of the state, and there James Melvin engaged in teaching school for a number of years. Their children were born in that locality and included William, Samuel Houston, James, Robert, Loetitia Ann and Elizabeth. The family removed to Steubenville, Ohio, where James Melvin engaged in teaching and afterward in merchandising. He was also probate judge for a time. His wife died in early womanhood and he afterward married Elizabeth Maple. In the late 'sos he removed to Illinois and fol- lowed merchandising and also served as justice of the peace in Chatham, Sangamon county, until 1875, when a removal was made to California. The remainder of his life was devoted to study and to writing for the Presbyterian press and up to the time of his death he served as an elder in the Brooklyn Presbyterian church of East Oakland.
Only one of his children lived to adult age. This was Samuel Houston Melvin, M. D., who was born in Washington county,
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Pennsylvania, April 22, 1829, and died in Oakland, California, February 11, 1898. He attended school in Steubenville, Ohio, until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he entered the employ of Dr. Sinclair, who was a druggist and a graduate of Dublin Uni- versity. Later Dr. Melvin attended a local medical institution called Medical Hall, from which he was graduated, and entered upon active practice in partnership with Dr. Sinclair. His health became impaired, however, necessitating a period of rest, which was followed by his re-entry into the drug business.
While thus engaged he formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah Amanda Slemmons, a daughter of Samuel Slemmons, of Cadiz. Ohio. The young lady was at that time attending Beatty's Sem inary. The discipline concerning the visits of young men was very strict, but both Dr. Melvin and Miss Slemmons possessed excellent voices and became members of the church choir, which led to their frequent meetings and resulted in their marriage in 1853. Mrs. Melvin was born at Cadiz, Ohio, March 30, 1833, and passed away in Oakland, May 11, 1900. While they were living in Steubenville the following children were born unto them. Samuel Slemmons, the eldest, was born May 8, 1854, and passed away October 22, 1882. The second son, James Breed, born February 3, 1856, resides in San Mateo, California, and is connected with the California Fruit Canners Association in San Francisco. He is the father of two sons and two daughters and three of his children are married. Charles Stuart, born August 20, 1857, was graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree from Lafayette College at Easton, Pennsylvania, in the class of 1882, and died in Oakland, California, January 23, 1911. William Patterson was born March 18, 1859, and died in Oakland, October 1, 1899. After the family removed to Springfield, Illinois, where Dr. Melvin was engaged in the drug business, other children were added to the family. Of these Mary Lincoln, born December 29. 1860, became the wife of A. A. Dewing, of Oakland, and the mother of three living sons and of twin boys who died in infancy. The next member of the family is Judge Henry A. Melvin. Martha Barrett, born December 31, 1866, died in infancy. Alice Harvey, born July 12, 1873, passed away on the 19th of November of the same year.
While the family were residents of Springfield Dr. Melvin was a neighbor, client and intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln. He and his father were ardent Union men, the former being at the head of the Union League. The Knights of the Golden Circle offered a large sum to anyone who would do away with him, but as it was
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known that the mild, quiet druggist could drive a ten-penny nail. at ten paces with a derringer, no one earned the reward. When the war broke out ill health in the family prevented Dr. Melvin from joining the army, but he gave liberally of his means for the care of wounded soldiers, and his wife was the state president of the relief society which did so much for the comfort of the wounded in the hospitals.
After the war business prosperity in Illinois brought wealth to Dr. Melvin. After disposing of his drug business he became prom- inent in banking and railway circles and in the latter was associated with Colonel Thomas A. Scott, but financial misfortune brought about by those who proved unworthy of trust caused him to lose nearly all that he had acquired. At about that time physicians ordered Mrs. Melvin to California and in consequence the family removed to this state, but the prophecy that she would live but a year proved unfounded, as she traveled life's journey for a quarter of a century thereafter. For three years the family resided in St. Helena and then came to Oakland, where Dr. Melvin opened a drug store, conducting the business until his death. For many years he was the president of the state board of pharmacy and also the presiding officer of the State Pharmaceutical Society, which carried with it the presidency of the College of Pharmacy. In early life Dr. Melvin and his wife were of the Presbyterian faith but after removing to Oakland joined the First Congregational church, of which an old-time and dear friend, Dr. John K. McLean, was pastor.
Judge Henry A. Melvin was a young lad who had not yet com- pleted has first decade when the family came to the Pacific coast. He attended the Franklin Grammar school, from which he was graduated in 1881, and three years later he completed a course in the Oakland high school. The following year was devoted to busi- ness and then, with the desire to prepare for a professional career, he entered the University of California. The Scroll, the official magazine of the Phi Delta Theta, wrote of his college days as fol- lows: "In that great institution he early attracted the attention of his college mates and the professors of the university by his ability and aptitude as a scholar. A member of a very notable class that produced Professor Charles M. Bakewell, soon to become distin- guished in metaphysics; Lincoln Hutchison, early to win honors in the science of political economy; Professor W. L. Jepsen, who quickly showed eminence as a botanist; Dr. Herbert C. Moffit, who readily became a leading physician of San Francisco; Professor
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Charles A. Noble, who won laurels in mathematics; Lincoln Stef- fens, the student of political and social conditions and relentless critic of corruption; and Thomas B. Sullivan, the gifted journalist -Judge Melvin at once won recognition as a leader of them all. He was in every sense an active member of California Alpha and contributed much to the high tone and prosperity of the chapter. He was editor of the college annual and easily took full college honors in his class. During his student days he cultivated thoroughly the wonderful voice with which he has often captivated those who heard him and was frequently heard at entertainments in behalf of charity."
Following the completion of his university course, in which he had laid a broad and deep foundation upon which to build the superstructure of professional learning, Judge Melvin became a student in the Hastings College of the Law at San Francisco and completed his course by graduation with the class of 1892. He entered upon a clerkship with the senate committee on county and township governments of the California legislature and served dur- ing the session of 1891. In March of the same year he was called by appointment to the office of justice of the peace of Brooklyn township, Alameda county, and in 1900 he was appointed to the position of deputy attorney general of the state. All of his briefs on appeal to the supreme court of the state while in the office of attorney general were marked by clearness, accuracy and profound learning in the law.
Judge Melvin became identified with the bench when in 1901 the legislature decided up the addition of a fifth judge to the supe- rior court. The governor of the state chose Judge Melvin, who was indorsed by the bar and the general public, and who in No- vember, 1902, was elected to the office by the largest vote ever given a candidate for superior judge of Alameda county. We again quote from The Scroll: "His career on the bench has been characterized by a broad grasp of the principles of law and equity and a fine power of clear statement in his opinions, as well as firmness and dignity in his conduct. His high reputation as a jurist is not con- fined to his own county, but extends throughout the state and higher judicial honors for him are confidently foretold." Judge Melvin resigned to accept an appointment September 28, 1908, as associate justice of the supreme court to fill the place of T. B. McFarland, deceased, until the next general election. On November 3, 1908, he was elected to serve the unexpired term of Justice McFarland, which ended January, 1911. On November 8, 1910, Judge Melvin
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was re-elected for the full term of twelve years, beginning January, 1911. He has also been professor of medical jurisprudence in the Oakland Medical College and is likewise widely known as a writer, his name being a familiar one in journalistic circles. The products of his pen are always characterized by clearness and purity and stamp him as a writer of well chosen and virile English. He has also written some songs, one of which has been a popular number in the university song book.
Judge Melvin was married in 1893 to Miss S. Louise Morse, a niece of Governor Pennoyer, of Oregon. They have a son, Brad- ford, nineteen years of age, who is a student in Leland Stanford University. Judge Melvin has been well known in the club life of the Bay cities and has been equally popular in college fraternity circles. He was elected to the Golden Bear, a senior society of the University of California, an invitation to membership being ex- tended to one or two alumni each year. He is a most loyal member of the Phi Delta Theta, and in July, 1906, he was unanimously elected grand exalted ruler of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has a well earned reputation for many-sided ability and for unfailing good nature and enjoys wide popularity. He is, more- over, regarded as one of the most substantial citizens of Alameda county, his record at all times being an honor and credit to the pro- fession which has honored him.
JOHN M. SANTANA.
John M. Santana, who is now vice president and treasurer of the American Creamery Company, of Oakland, California, has also been engaged for years in the wool business and has been connected with banking interests. He was born in the Azores, April 16, 1864, and is a son of Joseph Santana, who in 1849, at the age of sixteen years, came to California by way of Cape Horn, the journey from his native land consuming three months .. Immediately upon his arrival he pro- ceeded to the mines in Shasta county and with three of his brothers acquired title to a valuable property. They operated the mine under a partnership agreement until Joseph Santana, the youngest of the four, was twenty-four years of age. His mother being in poor health and having expressed a desire to see her son, he sold his share to his brothers and returned to his island home. However, Mrs. Santana
JOHN M, SANTANA
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had passed away before he arrived .. He remained a year in the Azores, expending the one thousand dollars which he had received as his share of the mine in assisting the poor of the neighborhood and in other charitable work. He then secured the funds to return to California and resumed work in the mine. Two years later he again went to his native land, where he married, reared his family and continued to reside for the remainder of his life.
John M. Santana came to America when a youth of sixteen years, landing in Boston. While still in his teens he came to California by train and after reaching the Golden state worked for six months on a ranch near Antioch and then herded sheep for a similar length of time in Fresno. His next position was on a ranch, where for a half year he tended cattle and did general work. By this time he had saved three hundred and ten dollars and after forming a partner- ship with a man who had four hundred dollars capital, purchased nine hundred sheep. After two years they sold their flock and di- vided the net profit of six thousand dollars. Mr. Santana removed to San Francisco, arranging to take a course in Heald's Business Col- lege, but as there was an unprecedented boom in wool and mutton he never commenced his studies but reengaged in the sheep business in Fresno county. The two seasons which followed were very dry and therefore he and his partner were compelled to sell their sheep, which numbered between seven and eight thousand, receiving only one dollar per head and selling their wool at two and a half and three cents a pound. In this venture Mr. Santana suffered a great loss, but they succeeded in paying their debts, with the exception of a sum less than one hundred dollars. In 1899 he formed a partnership with a Mr. Perry and they entered the wool business under the firm name of Santana & Perry. This business was conducted for some time and in 1906 Mr. Santana organized the California Sheep & Wool Company, of which he became president. He retired from the wool business in 1908. As early as 1905 he had taken a most important part in the organization of the Portuguese-American Bank of San Francisco and he is still interested in that enterprise, a branch of which will be opened in Oakland, in July, 1915, in the new I. O. O. F. building at Eleventh and Franklin streets. For a time Mr. Santana was more or less free from business cares but in 1911 he acquired a half interest in the American Creamery Company, which was founded by J. A. Silveria in 1898, and our subject now serves as vice president and treasurer of the company. He is a man of good executive capacity and one who is able to handle a great amount of detail work and because of these qualities has been very successful in promoting the
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