USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 33
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ISAAC P. ALLEN.
The force of Isaac P. Allen's ability in the world of finance, of his energy, enterprise, constructive power, his initiative, aggressive- ness and organizing skill has been felt in a vital way in banking cir- cles of San Francisco and, extending beyond local limits, has in no unimportant manner influenced the banking development of the world at large. He is known not only as the founder of the agency of the Russo-Chinese Bank in America, but also as the founder of the Bank of Canton, Ltd., in Hong Kong, and he undoubtedly occupies a central position in financial circles of San Francisco, where since 1907 he has been manager of the Canton Bank of that city. A spirit of enterprise and progress, dominated and controlled by keen busi- ness discrimination and sound judgment, has actuated him in all his undertakings and has brought him to the position which he occupies today among the captains of finance in this section of the state.
Mr. Allen was born in Manchester, Massachusetts, November 2, 1847, and is a son of Isaac S. Allen, a native of Cavendish, Vermont. The father was one of the early settlers in San Francisco and was well known in the old city, with the business interests of which he was closely identified for many years. His wife, who was in her maiden- hood Miss Alice Jane Patten, was born in Hancock, New Hamp- shire.
Isaac P. Allen was eight years of age when his parents moved to San Francisco and in the public schools of the city he acquired his education, completing the high-school course. He afterward studied chemistry and became very proficient along this line, securing a posi- tion in 1864 with Reddington & Company. He later identified his interests with those of Heathfield, Bogel & Company, becoming a member of the firm and engaging in the wholesale drug business in this connection. When he retired from this association he purchased the interests of R. H. McDonald & Company of Sacramento and
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conducted the business successfully for some time, enlarging his con- cern by the establishment of a branch in Chico under the name of J. W. Scott & Company. On account of his failing health he was eventually obliged to sell this enterprise and in 1871 became con- nected with the Bank of California, thus beginning a financial career which has brought him prosperity and distinction and which has con- tributed substantially to general banking development. Acting in various capacities, he remained with the Bank of California until September, 1887, when sickness again compelled his retirement, his enforced inactivity lasting for about five years. After his recovery he acted as auditor for several eastern concerns, engaging in this line of work for about four years. In 1902 he accepted the agency for the Russo-Chinese Bank and established a branch of this institution in San Francisco, this marking the first appearance of the concern in America. With ability, keen discrimination and enterprise, Mr. Allen directed its affairs, keeping it on a solid financial basis and developing it along modern and progressive lines until after the earthquake in 1906. He severed his connection with the Russo- Chinese Bank in March of the following year, after having done able work in its interests and in the interests of the city of San Francisco by aiding in forcing the German and Austrian insurance companies to pay to the extent of their ability losses incurred in the earthquake and fire.
On the 5th of October, 1907, Mr. Allen opened the Canton Bank of San Francisco with four hundred and forty stockholders, located all over the world. He has been manager of this institution since that time, and in this position his excellent business and executive ability has been called forth, the credit for the remarkable growth and development of the enterprise being largely due to him. He has given unsparingly of his energy, his time and his ability to its affairs, and the bank has steadily prospered, being today one of the strong, safe and conservative financial institutions in the west. Mr. Allen left San Francisco on the 27th of September, 1911, for Hong-Kong, and there he established the Bank of Canton, Ltd., with a capital of two million dollars. In this work he was assisted by four of the em- ployes of the Canton Bank of San Francisco, and when he left China, February 16, 1912, he had already placed the institution upon a busi- nesslike, safe and profitable basis, establishing it in strict conformity to the laws of Hong-Kong. He arrived in San Francisco on the 14th of March and reassumed his duties as manager of the Canton Bank. In the course of years his energy, enterprise and unsual ability have carried him forward into important business relations in this city
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
and he has steadily extended the scope of his interests, being identi- fied with a great many of the most important corporate concerns. Ile recently assisted in establishing the Prudential Loan Society and has become its president, his name standing as a guaranty of the per- manence and reliability of the enterprise. The concern, which has offices in the Phelan building, is patterned after the Collateral Loan Society of Boston, which has been in existence for over fifty years and which has been of inestimable benefit to the community at large.
Mr. Allen married Miss Lizzie C. Fuller, a daughter of Hiram and Laurilla Fuller of Hancock, New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have three sons: Arthur, forty-four years of age; Sidney D., forty-two, and I. Christy, thirty-nine. The two younger are in busi- ness in San Francisco and the oldest is in Manila, Philippine Islands, and all are following in their father's footsteps, proving themselves reliable, resourceful and enterprising business men.
Mr. Allen is well known in the Masonic order, holding member- ship in Excelsior Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; in San Francisco Chapter; Golden Gate Commandery ; and Islam Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a splendid type of the twentieth century American business man, keen, aggressive and resourceful, modern in his views, progressive in his ideals and actuated at all times by a sense of com- munity obligation and the necessity of making his individual success an element in general advancement. Throughout a residence of many years in San Francisco he has proved himself trustworthy and faith- ful in business, progressive in citizenship and loyal to the claims of friendship, and he has thus commanded and kept the esteem and high regard of all who are associated with him.
ALVA F. MAINE, M. D.
Dr. Alva F. Maine, who has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Oakland since 1908, is well known as a rep- resentative of that class of progressive professional men who utilize the most advanced methods of medical science, his broad reading and earnest study keeping him in touch with the advancement that is being continually made by the profession. Dr. Maine was born in Newark, New Jersey, November 2, 1877, and is a son of Dr. A. P. and M. M. (Sheffield) Maine. The father is still an active and suc- cessful representative of the medical fraternity in Webster, New York.
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Alva F. Maine attended the public and high schools, being grad- uated from the latter when nineteen years of age. He was afterward employed by his father until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when, wishing to prepare for the pratcice of medicine, he entered the University of Buffalo, at Buffalo, New York, spending three years in its medical department. While a student there he was editor of the Iris, the second annual classbook of that school, issued by the graduating class of 1900. On leaving Buffalo he entered the Univer- sity of Louisville and after a year spent in the medical department was graduated. He then returned from Kentucky to New York and for a year was engaged in active practice at Webster with his father. Thinking, however, to try his fortune upon the Pacific coast, he made his way to Redwood City, California, where he engaged in active practice and for two years filled the position of health officer. In 1904 and again in 1907 he went to New York city for post- graduate work in the Polyclinic. In the fall of 1908 he came to Oak- land and has been practicing here continuously since. His ability is widely recognized and is attested in the liberal patronage now ac- corded him. Anything which tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life is of interest to him, and his reading has been wide and varied, covering all the phases of advanced medical and surgical science. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the California State Medical Society, and the Alameda County Medical Society, and through attendance at the meetings of these organizations keeps in touch with the work of eminent mem- bers of the profession.
In addition to his practice Dr. Maine has become financially inter- ested in the Coin-Controlled Seat Company of San Francisco, of which he is the treasurer. This company is engaged in the manufac- ture and sale of seats which can be controlled and operated by means of a coin and is the only one of the kind upon the market. After a number of years of experimenting and the expenditure of thousands of dollars E. W. Allen of San Jose, California, has perfected, built and patented a coin-controlled seat or bench of simple design which will withstand the hard usage and exposure to which a seat of this kind is subjected. Such seats are intended for coast resorts, summer gardens, open-air theaters, ball parks and public parks, and the com- pany also manufacture specially designed seats or opera chairs for inside use, with coin box adjusted to accommodate any size coin from a nickel to a dollar. Other seats are manufactured with a canopy or umbrella. It is believed that the installment of such seats in public places will net a very large income to the proprietors, and indications
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are that thousands of such seats will be in immediate use almost as soon as manufactured. Progressive and enterprising business meth- ods have been adopted by the officers of this company, who are: Peter Bacigalupi, president; Edgar W. Allen, vice president; Walter A. Chowen, secretary; Dr. Alva F. Maine, treasurer, and Charles A. Beardsley, auditor.
Dr. Maine was married, at Rochester, New York, to Miss Kath- ryne Smith on the 13th of September, 1902. He holds membership with the Knights of Columbus, and in politics he is independent, voting as his judgment dictates, without regard to party ties.
GEORGE FRIEND COMPANY.
The beautiful and enterprising city of Berkeley owes a great deal of its later development and upbuilding to the activities of the George Friend Company, which since 1905 has controlled important real- estate interests in the city and the vicinity. It was founded in that year under the name of Irwin-Patten Company, and was later reor- ganized as the Newell-Hendrickson Company. In July, 1911, Wil- liam C. Murdock and George Friend bought out Mr. Hendrickson's interests in the concern and the Newell-Murdock Company was formed. This continued until May 1, 1913, when George Friend became sole proprietor of the business and manager of the company which bears his name.
The company has always been especially interested in subdivision and development work in Berkeley and three of the most attractive and beautiful residence districts of the city, Regents Park, North Brea and Thousand Oaks, have been exploited and developed by it. Mr. Friend is now giving practically all of his attention to this latter subdivision, which is known as the most beautiful residence park in California, and the artistic and lovely effects which have been pro- duced here by adapting the architecture of the houses to the wild but beautiful forest scenery, defy description. The view from the heights of Thousand Oaks is magnificent. It embraces the entire western horizon from north to south-five counties, twelve cities and the bay from Alviso to Carquinez straits being in full view. A street car ride along Arlington avenue places this panorama before the visitor. This street with its double driveway, imposing con- crete ornamentation and geranium covered terraces, winds past the Spring estate and is destined soon to become one of the most famous
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drives in the west as it is already one of the most beautiful. Mr. Friend has striven to place the advantages of this garden spot within the reach of all, and a five thousand dollar house and lot may be bought in Thousand Oaks for an initial payment of six hundred and twenty-five dollars and monthly payments of fifty dollars. There is excellent transportation service, one hundred and fifty-five trains each way, running between San Francisco and Thousand Oaks, while the finest electric suburban service in the United States connects the little community with all the Alameda county lines of the Traction Company. The streets in the subdivision are all parked and planted with grass or geraniums. Red-haw- thorne trees are set at short intervals, while in the parks and rock walled footways, ornamental stone benches and gigantic urns are placed, producing an effect altogether delightful. The natural beauty of this spot, the excellent transportation facilities, the artistic landscape gardening, the proximity of the University of California, which is one and a half miles distant, all combine to make Thousand Oaks a most desirable resident section and its rapid development and upbuilding is assured. Mr. Friend has given a great deal of his time and attention to this project and has carried it forward to a most successful completion. He is regarded as a reliable, farsighted and progressive business man, and his activities have been for several years past potent factors in the development and upbuilding of the city where he makes his home.
PASQUAL KISICH.
Pasqual Kisich, who has been a resident of Oakland for more than a quarter of a century, is the well known proprietor of the beautiful Saddle Rock Cafe at No. 418 Thirteenth street. His birth occurred in Ragusa, Austria, on the 16th of October, 1869, his parents being Michael and Svieta Kisich. In the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools until fourteen years of age. He and his father were awarded a contract to supply soldiers with food, and this work claimed his attention for three years. At the age of seventeen he emigrated to the United States and settled in California, being employed on a ranch near Santa Clara for three months. He then came to Oakland and worked in a restaurant for two years. On the expiration of that period, in association with John Marcovitch, he opened the Saddle Rock Cafe at the corner of Twelfth and Wash-
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ington streets and in 1893 purchased the interest of his partner. In 1900 he removed to Broadway, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, there remaining until 1905, when he came to his present place of business at No. 418 Thirteenth street. Here he conducts an attractive and handsomely appointed cafe that is considered the best in Oakland. As the years have gone by he has won a measure of success that is well merited and that entitles him to recognition among the prosperous and representative citizens of his community.
On the 12th of April, 1898, in Oakland, Mr. Kisich was united in marriage to Miss Nettie C. Stroinski, by whom he has three chil- dren, namely: Oliver, who is fourteen years of age and a high-school student; Bernice, eight years old, who is in school in a convent; and Pasqual, a little lad of three.
Mr. Kisich is a republican in politics, while fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a member of organizations whose aim is to promote the expansion of Oakland, belonging to the Chamber of Commerce, the Oakland Commercial Club and the Merchants Exchange, of which he is a director. In this city, where he took up his abode more than a quar- ter of a century ago, he has gained an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances.
CHARLES E. GILMAN.
Charles E. Gilman, a prominent, prosperous and enterprising young citizen of Oakland, serves as vice president, general manager and director of the Union Water Company, of which he was one of the organizers in February, 1910. His birth occurred in Oakland on the ist of August, 1880, his parents being C. H. and Kate K. (Cullen) Gilman. The father, who was born in Toronto, Canada, on the 17th of October, 1838, acquired his more advanced educa- tion in McGill University and in 1857 went to Japan in a sailing vessel, being the first white man to attempt such a trip. In 1859 he landed in San Francisco and there organized the firm of Gil- man & Danforth for the conduct of a warehouse, their business increasing to such an extent that at the time of his retirement in 1896 they owned seven warehouses in San Francisco. His demise occurred in the year 1899. He was a charter member of the Bohe-
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mian Club of San Francisco, held several chairs in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and also belonged to the Athenian Club of Oakland.
Charles E. Gilman attended the graded and high schools until 1895 and subsequently spent a year as a student in the Manzanita Hall Preparatory School for Boys at Pala Alto, California. He then entered Leland Stanford Junior University and while pursuing his education there acted as manager of the football team, leader of the Glee Club and track manager of the Delta Upsilon, being also a member of Psi Upsilon, Sigma Sigma and Snake and Keys. Following his graduation in 1900 he went to South America as engineer and geologist for the Braner-Agassiz Exposition, explor- ing the east coast of South America for six months. On returning to California he became manager of the Elizabeth Mining Com- pany in Shasta county and remained in that capacity until 1901. Subsequently he was appointed and served as field engineer and petrographer for the Washington State Geological Survey until 1902 and was afterward engaged as mining engineer for the Crosby- Ehrich syndicate at Colorado Springs, Colorado, until the winter of 1902. He then joined Mr. Wright in the firm known as the Wright & Gilman Company, mining engineers, and in 1903 be- came assistant chief engineer for the Bay City Water Company of San Francisco, acting in that capacity until 1904. Mr. Gilman next served for five months as consulting engineer for the Tonopah Water Company of Tonopah, Nevada. In the latter part of 1904 he in- vestigated all the power sites, power rights and land holdings of the Western Power Company and the Golden State Power Com- pany, spending four months in that way. He then went to Cudahy, Wisconsin, and there spent six months as mining engineer for the Power & Mining Machinery Company. On the 17th of April, 1906, in San Francisco, he formed the Duryea, Heahl & Gilman Engineering Company and is still a member thereof. In February, 1910, he was one of the organizers of the Union Water Company in Oakland and was made vice president, general manager and director of the corporation, which positions he still holds at the present time, displaying excellent executive ability in the discharge of his important duties. The company supplies three thousand homes with water. During the fire of 1906 Mr. Gilman was appointed first lieutenant of artillery and later became major, serving for ninety days. Governor Pardee complimented him for his executive ability and the commendable manner in which he maintained order through- out the destroyed district in San Francisco.
Vol. II 22
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IHISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
ington streets and in 1893 purchased the interest of his partner. In 1900 he removed to Broadway, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, there remaining until 1905, when he came to his present place of business at No. 418 Thirteenth street. Here he conducts an attractive and handsomely appointed cafe that is considered the best in Oakland. As the years have gone by he has won a measure of success that is well merited and that entitles him to recognition among the prosperous and representative citizens of his community.
On the 12th of April, 1898, in Oakland, Mr. Kisich was united in marriage to Miss Nettie C. Stroinski, by whom he has three chil- dren, namely: Oliver, who is fourteen years of age and a high-school student; Bernice, eight years old, who is in school in a convent; and Pasqual, a little lad of three.
Mr. Kisich is a republican in politics, while fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a member of organizations whose aim is to promote the expansion of Oakland, belonging to the Chamber of Commerce, the Oakland Commercial Club and the Merchants Exchange, of which he is a director. In this city, where he took up his abode more than a quar- ter of a century ago, he has gained an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances.
CHARLES E. GILMAN.
Charles E. Gilman, a prominent, prosperous and enterprising young citizen of Oakland, serves as vice president, general manager and director of the Union Water Company, of which he was one of the organizers in February, 1910. His birth occurred in Oakland on the ist of August, 1880, his parents being C. H. and Kate K. (Cullen) Gilman. The father, who was born in Toronto, Canada, on the 17th of October, 1838, acquired his more advanced educa- tion in McGill University and in 1857 went to Japan in a sailing vessel, being the first white man to attempt such a trip. In 1859 he landed in San Francisco and there organized the firm of Gil- man & Danforth for the conduct of a warehouse, their business increasing to such an extent that at the time of his retirement in 1896 they owned seven warehouses in San Francisco. His demise occurred in the year 1899. He was a charter member of the Bohe-
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
nian Club of San Francisco, held several chairs in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and also belonged to the Athenian Club of Oakland.
Charles E. Gilman attended the graded and high schools until 1895 and subsequently spent a year as a student in the Manzanita Hall Preparatory School for Boys at Pala Alto, California. He then entered Leland Stanford Junior University and while pursuing his education there acted as manager of the football team, leader of the Glee Club and track manager of the Delta Upsilon, being also a member of Psi Upsilon, Sigma Sigma and Snake and Keys. Following his graduation in 1900 he went to South America as engineer and geologist for the Braner-Agassiz Exposition, explor- ing the east coast of South America for six months. On returning to California he became manager of the Elizabeth Mining Com- pany in Shasta county and remained in that capacity until 1901. Subsequently he was appointed and served as field engineer and petrographer for the Washington State Geological Survey until 1902 and was afterward engaged as mining engineer for the Crosby- Ehrich syndicate at Colorado Springs, Colorado, until the winter of 1902. He then joined Mr. Wright in the firm known as the Wright & Gilman Company, mining engineers, and in 1903 be- came assistant chief engineer for the Bay City Water Company of San Francisco, acting in that capacity until 1904. Mr. Gilman next served for five months as consulting engineer for the Tonopah Water Company of Tonopah, Nevada. In the latter part of 1904 he in- vestigated all the power sites, power rights and land holdings of the Western Power Company and the Golden State Power Com- pany, spending four months in that way. He then went to Cudahy, Wisconsin, and there spent six months as mining engineer for the Power & Mining Machinery Company. On the 17th of April, 1906, in San Francisco, he formed the Duryea, Heahl & Gilman Engineering Company and is still a member thereof. In February, 1910, he was one of the organizers of the Union Water Company in Oakland and was made vice president, general manager and director of the corporation, which positions he still holds at the present time, displaying excellent executive ability in the discharge of his important duties. The company supplies three thousand homes with water. During the fire of 1906 Mr. Gilman was appointed first lieutenant of artillery and later became major, serving for ninety days. Governor Pardee complimented him for his executive ability and the commendable manner in which he maintained order through- out the destroyed district in San Francisco. Vol. II-22
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
On the 8th of December, 1906, in San Francisco, Mr. Gilman was united in marriage to Miss Antoynette Granelli, who was a vol- unteer Red Cross nurse during the fire of 1906. They now have two children, Antoynette and C. E., Jr., who are six and two years of age respectively. Fraternally Mr. Gilman is a Scottish Rite Mason, and also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Nile Club and the Athenian Club and is a charter member of the Army and Navy Club. The sub- jective and objective forces of life are in Mr. Gilman well balanced, making him cognizant of his own capabilities and powers, while at the same time he thoroughly understands and meets his obligations and opportunities.
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