USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 45
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In 1901, at Sunol Glen, Alameda county, Dr. McGill was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Carter, a native of this county. They have one daughter, Adelaide. Mrs. McGill takes an active part in church and missionary work and is a valued member of the Ladies'
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Aid Society. The Doctor also attends the Presbyterian church and sings in its choir. He joined the Masonic fraternity when twenty- one years of age and now belongs to Lodge No. 218, A. F. & A. M., to which he transferred his membership upon coming to Livermore. He holds to high ideals not only in professional service but in citi- zenship and in social relations, and his sterling manhood has gained for him the warm and enduring regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
HON. GEORGE C. PERKINS.
California has long been noted for the high standing and excep- tional ability of its representatives in congress. In the list none is more prominent, nor more deserving of the highest encomium than George C. Perkins, one of the present United States senators from the Golden State and a citizen of whom San Francisco is proud. None of our representatives in the national legislature has been of greater service, not only to the nation as a member of its governing body, but to his state and to the Bay cities. In the preparations for the great Panama-Pacific International Exposition, when San Francisco will be host to the world in celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal, Senator Perkins has had a conspicuous and active part, while his work in behalf of legislation desired and needed by the state has been indefatigable and unusually successful.
Senator Perkins began life as a farmer boy, having been born at Kennebunkport, Maine, August 23, 1839. His parents were in mod- erate circumstances, but as a boy he received such education as was offered in the winter seasons to those whose sons were compelled to help on the farm at other times. When he was only thirteen years old, however, he tired of life on the farm and went to sea. He shipped before the mast and for four years as a sailor visited various ports and climes all over the world. He returned home for six months when he was in his seventeenth year and went to school, but returned to the sea. Finally, in the fall of 1855, in the course of his journeyings on the ocean, he arrived at San Francisco, on the clipper ship Galatea. via Cape Horn, and went ashore to try his luck as a gold miner.
He went first to Sacramento and then on to Butte and Plumas counties and for two years tried his fortunes at mining, but with in- different success. Next he tried teaming and lumbering, then work- ing in a store. Ambition within him was strong, and he refused to
GEORGE C. PERKINS
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be daunted by reverses. At last fortune favored him, and he invested his savings in a ferry boat at Long Bar on the Feather river. Then he built the Ophir flour mills, invested in mining enterprises and con- structed sawmills, and the fruits of his labor and his unbounded optimism were more plenteous. In 1872 he came to San Fran- cisco and joined the firm of Goodall & Nelson, which was just then becoming a power in ocean transportation circles. In 1876 he purchased the interests of Christopher Nelson and the firm name be- came Goodall, Perkins & Company, which at the present time is still active and still a leading factor in the shipping industry on the Pacific Coast. The firm was largely interested in the Pacific Whaling Com- pany, which was the first to introduce steam whalers in the Arctic trade; and also is connected with many large shipping enterprises, its business operations extending all along the coast from Alaska to Mexico and employing over two thousand men.
While the Senator has been prominent in the business affairs of the community and in coast-shipping circles, it is as a public man in active political life that he is best known. He is one of the state's foremost republicans, and has always been a power in the councils of his party. From 1869 to 1876 he served in the state senate, being elected both times from a democratic district. In 1879 he was elected governor of the state by a majority of twenty-two thousand votes- which majority at that time was surprising, the total population of the state being considered. Following his retirement from the gov- ernor's chair, he gave less attention to politics and devoted himself more closely to his private business. In 1893, however, he was ap- pointed by Governor Markham to succeed Senator Stanford, de- ceased. Two years later he was chosen by the state legislature to serve out the unexpired term, and in 1897 was reelected to the full term of six years. In January, 1903, he was again reelected, receiving every republican vote in the legislature and finally the unanimous vote, on motion of a democratic member. Again in 1909 the people testified their appreciation of his signal services by choosing him for another term, which expires in 1915. In 1912 he announced that he would not again be a candidate for reelection and that the only ambition he had was to serve out his term to the satisfaction of the people of California, who had so often honored him with their confidence. By virtue of his faithfulness and ability, he having been absent but twenty-three days, during the twenty-one years he has served while congress was in session, and that being caused by sickness, Senator Perkins has attained a high standing among his colleagues in the Vol. IT 29
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national upper house. He is a good speaker and well equipped to diligently watch the interests of his state and city in the senate.
Senator Perkins is widely known as a philanthropist and is con- nected with quite a number of charitable enterprises, including the Boys' and Girls' Aid Society, of which he has been president for twenty-seven years. He was for two years president of the San Francisco Art Association, president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1878 and again in 1887, and has been a trustee of the Academy of Sciences since 1886. He takes a deep interest in Masonry because of its instructive and moral influence. He was grand junior warden of the Grand Lodge of California in 1871; grand senior warden in 1872; deputy master in 1873; and grand master in 1874, by unani- mous vote. In the Knights Templar he has held all the offices up to grand commander, which he held in 1882 and during the triennial conclave in San Francisco; while at the latter meeting he was elected grand junior warden of the grand encampment of the United States.
Senator Perkins was married in 1864 at Oroville, California, to Ruth A. Parker, and to them were born three sons and four daugh- ters. And now in the evening of life, having passed the milestone of three-score years and ten, Senator Perkins may well find cause for justifiable pride in the fact that he has not only achieved success in a material way, but has been of immeasurable service in his deeds and actions as a public man, especially to his adopted state-California.
FRANCISCO IGNACIO DE LEMOS.
Francisco Ignacio de Lemos is one of the foremost and in point of residence the oldest lawyer in Hayward. He is a representative of the Portuguese nation, so many members of which have become useful and substantial citizens of this state. He was born March 10, 1865. at Villa Nova, in the island of Terceira, in the Azores.
When about twenty-three years of age he crossed the ocean, land- ing in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on September 20, 1888. In the latter part of October of the same year he made his arrival at the Mission San Jose and there wrote for a Portuguese paper which was published at that point and known as O Amigo dos Catholicos. Being attracted to Alameda county and Hayward by the opportuni- ties of which he had heard so much, he came to this city a short time later, arriving February 18, 1889, and entered the law office of the
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late G. S. Langan in order to teach Mr. Langan Portuguese and re- ceiving in exchange instruction in English and law. He imme- diately took up his studies, which he unflaggingly pursued until he was admitted to practice before the superior court of Alameda county on June 16, 1894, and the supreme court on April 25, 1895. In the preceding January he had become a partner of Mr. Langan and continued in that association until November 1, 1903, when the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent. He immediately en- gaged in practice independently and has since continued to do so. Mr. Lemos has a large and important clientele. He represents a number of prominent commercial enterprises and has also been very successful in court work.
He is a director of the Bank of Hayward and also the Bank of Centerville and for nineteen years has acted as a notary public. In- terested in the cause of education, he has served as clerk of the board of school trustees for five years, still holding that office. In the spring of 1914 he was chosen as one of a committee of Portuguese from California to visit their native country in order to induce the Portuguese government to participate in the Panama-Pacific Exposi- tion. Since 1890 he has been a member of the U. P. E. C., a Portu- guese society, and in 1896 and 1897 was supreme president of this order. Ever since 1898 he has been secretary of its board of direc- tors with the exception of one year. Mr. Lemos has been continu- ously engaged in the active practice of law in Hayward longer than any other lawyer, having established himself in 1894. Among his countrymen he was also well known as proprietor of the Portuguese paper which he conducted for about four years and which is now known as O Arauto. In 1898 Mr. Lemos paid a visit to his native land and was there married on September 1, 1898, to Miss Adelaide L. Cotta de Menezes, a native of the Azores, who for several years prior to her marriage was a teacher. They have one son, F. Clemente, who is attending the Hayward grammar school. Mr. and Mrs. Lemos reside at No. 1272 B street in a handsome residence. In 1907 they, accompanied by their young son, took a trip to their native land, deriving great pleasure from this visit.
Mr. and Mrs. Lemos are devout communicants of the Catholic faith. For years he has been an adherent of the republican party but lately has changed his allegiance to the progressive organization and is actively interested in politics, doing much valuable work in a quiet way, although he does not expect or seek political preference in remuneration for his work. Fraternally he is a member of Cypress Camp, W. O. W .; Alameda Lodge, No. 1015, B. P. O. E .; the
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Knights of Columbus; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Foresters of America; and the I. D. E. S., a Portuguese society. He has held office in all of these organizations. Mr. Lemos has become one of the useful and public-spirited citizens of Alameda county and Hay- ward. He has made many friends in the community in which he resides, and all agree as to his high standards of manhood.
CHARLES WILLIAM HEYER.
Charles William Heyer, a leading representative of business and political interests in Alameda county, of which he is a worthy and honored native son, has served for four terms of four years each as mayor of the town of Hayward, where during the past quarter of a century he has been active in the control and one of the owners of one of the largest steam beer breweries in the state outside of Oakland and San Francisco. His birth occurred in Alvarado, Alameda county, California, on the 22d of April, 1866, his parents being Julius and Caroline (Ubhoff) Heyer, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States at an early age and in 1857 made his way to California by way of the Isthmus route. During his active business career he was successfully en- gaged in the conduct of a brewery at Hayward, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1873. To him and his wife were born two sons, namely : William, who is a resident of Hay- ward; and Charles W., of this review. The mother was married a second time, becoming the wife of Leo Palmtag, also a brewer of Hayward, by whom she has two children : Flora, the wife of Vincent Strovel, who is engaged in business as a butcher of Hayward; and Lena, who lives at home.
In the acquirement of an education Charles W. Heyer attended the graded and high schools of Hayward. At the age of sixteen years he entered upon his business career in connection with a brew- ery, in which he remained until 1889, when he became a partner of his stepfather, Mr. Palmtag. This association was maintained with mutual pleasure and profit throughout nearly twenty years. In 1905 Mr. Palmtag retired, and they then incorporated as the Palm- tag & Heyer Brewing and Malting Company with Mr. Heyer as manager. This business was so conducted until June. 1910, when they consolidated with several Oakland breweries forming the Golden West Brewing Company. Mr. Hever's brewery has since
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been operated as a branch of that concern. Ever since consolidation Mr. Heyer has served as treasurer of the Golden West Brewing Company and manager of the Hayward branch.
Mr. Heyer is identified fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Foresters of America, the Hermann Soehne and the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks. He is known as a stalwart defender of democra- tic principles and his influence has been a potent element in shaping political interests of his city. He is a very active worker in the local ranks of his party and has been sent as a delegate to county and state conventions. For fourteen years he has served as a trustee of Hay- ward and for four terms of four years each he was chosen mayor of the city, his election being conceded by the opposition in each in- stance before the returns from the polls had been received. He has always given the town a businesslike, practical and progressive ad- ministration, characterized by many measures of improvement and value which contributed to the substantial advancement and looked toward the best interests of the municipality. His entire life has been spent in Alameda county and his record is that of one of its fore- most, popular and most esteemed citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Heyer enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of Hayward, and their own household is noted for its attractive social functions.
THOMAS BARTLETT RUSSELL.
Thomas Bartlett Russell has contributed in various ways to the development of Hayward and Alameda county, where he has im- portant agricultural interests and also has been active in contracting and building for some time. He was born December 11, 1861, on a tract of the old Soto ranch near Hayward and is a son of Joel Rus- sell, who settled there at an early day in the history of this county and of whom extended mention is made in another part of this work.
Thomas B. Russell attended the public schools of Hayward and subsequently entered the University of California, from which he graduated in 1885 in mining engineering. He then took up the profession of railroad engineering and followed this line of work in various states for three or four years, returning at the end of that time to Hayward, where he engaged in farming. He has since remained active in that occupation. In 1895 Mr. Russell also took up con- tracting and has erected several buildings which have added consider-
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ably to the beautification of Hayward. Among those structures is the new high school, a handsome concrete structure which was com- pleted in 1914. Mr. Russell has reached out in other fields of en- deavor and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Hayward, becoming its first president.
On the 4th of February, 1891, Mr. Russell married at Hayward, Miss Lelia Smalley, a daughter of David S. Smalley, a pioneer of Alameda county, and to this union were born four children: Maude M., attending the University of California; Thomas B., and Lloyd S., high school students; and Lelia Mildred.
Although Mr. Russell is not active in politics, he has ever loyally discharged his citizen's duties. He is a progressive and leans toward the prohibition party, interesting himself much in the betterment of humanity and giving his support to all movements which are under- taken in order to change conditions to the better. For many years he has been a notary public and is at present secretary of the board of library trustees, realizing the valuable influence which an institution of this kind has upon the education of the masses. He has also served for years as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Eucalyptus Lodge, A. F. & A. M., having belonged to this organization for thirty years and having held the office of worship- ful master. He also belongs to Eden Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West.
HON. THOMAS WILLIAM HARRIS.
Energy, executive ability and well directed ambition guided and controlled by sound and practical judgment have constituted the foundation upon which Hon. Thomas William Harris has built his success and these qualities have brought him prosperity in busi- ness, distinction at the bar and prominence in the official life of Alameda county. He is known as a man of exceptional virility and force who has shown marked fidelity to public trusts and has accom- plished farsighted and capable work in his present position as judge of the superior court.
Judge Harris is a native of Minnesota, born in Chatfield, October 1, 1859. He is a son of William Harris, who moved to Cali- fornia in 1867 before the completion of the trans-continental rail- road, Mr. Harris of this review, being at that time eight years of age. Responsibility came to him in his early years, for his father's
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health was poor and the care of his parents and sisters fell to his lot as the only son. His early education was acquired in numer- ous county schools in the different towns where the family resided and he afterward completed the grammar school course at Pleas- anton, California. He supplemented this by a thorough course in bookkeeping which he studied evenings. Following the completion of his studies Judge Harris assisted his parents in various ways for two years and then became his father's partner in the livery stable business at Pleasanton. Being ambitious, energetic and quick to recognize opportunity, he advanced steadily in the business world and gradually became a prominent figure in commercial circles. After he and his father sold their livery stable they bought a ware- house business, and Mr. Harris, of this review, conducted this enter- prise so successfully that he was later offered the position of manager of the Chadbourne Warehouse Company in Pleasanton, retaining this position for a period of eight years.
Judge Harris had been a notary public for some time and upon resigning his position with the Chadbourne Warehouse Company took up the study of law with Judge W. H. Donahue of Alameda county. He was admitted to the bar in 1897 and began the practice of law at Pleasanton in the same year. Two years later he accepted an appointment as deputy in the district attorney's office, and the manner in which he conducted the cases which came under his super- vision added materially to his reputation as a lawyer. His record in this office and his high professional standing finally led to his appointment by Governor Pardee in 1905 as judge of the superior court. Judge Harris has held this responsible position since that time and has made an excellent record, being known as a conscienti- tious and painstaking judge who bases his decisions entirely upon the law and equity of the case and is never influenced by motives of personal interest. His conservative manner of administering justice with strict regard for the law has given him the confidence of the public, and the respect and esteem of all who are in any way asso- ciated with him.
Judge Harris has been twice married. He wedded first on Octo- ber 21, 1883, Miss Leta Neal of Pleasanton, who died in Oakland in 1903, leaving two sons: Neal, a graduate of the University of Cali- fornia; and Myron, a student in the same institution, where he is a well known athlete, having inherited his father's splendid physique. Judge Harris' second marriage occurred February 11, 1909, when he wedded Mrs. Mary E. Slipp of Oakland. During the course of a long career in the public service Judge Harris has made steady
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progress toward a position of distinction and he is today, not only one of the most important members of the judiciary of the city, but a well read lawyer of unusual attainments and a progressive, public- spirited and loyal citizen.
ROBERT M. FITZGERALD.
Robert M. Fitzgerald, a leading attorney of Oakland, practicing as senior partner of the firm of Fitzgerald, Abbott & Beardsley, was born in San Francisco, California, in January, 1858, a son of Edward and Catherine (Mullins) Fitzgerald. He acquired his preliminary education in the country schools of Marin county and afterward at- tended the public and high schools of Oakland, to which city the fam- ily removed in 1874. Subsequently he entered the University of California, from which he was graduated on the 23d of May, 1883, with the degree of LL. B.
The same year he was admitted to the bar and at once opened an office in Oakland, where he practiced with constantly increasing suc- cess until 1900. In that year he became a member of the San Fran- cisco law firm of Campbell, Fitzgerald, Abbott & Fowler. This association was dissolved in 1905 and Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Ab- bott continued in practice in San Francisco under the firm style of Fitzgerald & Abbott. After the fire they came to Oakland and in 1913 Mr. Beardsley joined the firm under the present name of Fitz- gerald, Abbott & Beardsley. This is one of the leading law firms of Alameda county, all of the partners being forceful and able mem- bers of the bar. They have a large and distinctively representative clientage. They are retained by many important corporations, among which may be mentioned the Central National Bank and the Cen- tral Savings Bank. They are receivers for the Union National Bank in Oakland and are attorneys for the city of Oakland in its litigation with the Contra Costa Water Company and the Peoples Water Com- pany. For more than three decades Mr. Fitzgerald has been well known at the bar of California and in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit he has made continuous progress. He handles important legal questions with comparative ease and finds ready solution for intricate and involved law prob- lems. He is well known also in financial affairs as the vice presi- dent of the Central National Bank of Oakland.
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In December, 1902, Mr. Fitzgerald married Miss Laura M. Crellin, and they are parents of a son and a daughter. In social circles of Oakland they are well known.
The extensive legal practice of Mr. Fitzgerald and his fraternal and political associations have gained him a wide acquaintance throughout the state. He gives his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party and in 1889 became a member of Oakland's first board of public works, while from 1895 until 1905, or for a period of ten years, he served on the state board of prison directors. As a delegate he has attended five of the national conventions of his party, in 1888, 1896, 1900, 1908 and 1912, and has been a delegate to nearly every state democratic convention since he began the practice of law. He has also held other positions of public trust and responsibility and is equally prominent in fraternal and club circles. He is a past grand president of the Native Sons of the Golden West, having been hon- ored with the highest office of that organization in 1891 and 1892. He is a member of the Bohemian, the Pacific-Union and the Athenian Clubs and is also a member of the Claremont Country Club and the Elks Club. Fortunate in possessing the ability and character which inspire confidence, he has gained for himself a position of prominence in professional, official and social circles, and his influence is always given in support of whatever he feels will promote the best interests of the community.
ELMER GRANT STILL.
Elmer Grant Still, editor and publisher of the Livermore Echo, is a son of Wilber and Anne E. (Webb) Still, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume, and was born in Livermore, May 24, 1880. He graduated from the Livermore grammar school in 1895 at the head of his class and after attending high school for a time rounded out his education with studies independently conducted while employed in his father's newspaper office, and in October, 1904. his father retired, and he assumed the management of the paper.
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