USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 48
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William Henry Parrish had extensive and important fraternal affiliations, being a member of Lyons Post, G. A. R., and well known in the affairs of the Oakland lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He
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joined this organization in 1870 and was trustee and marshal for many years, being for a long period prior to his death the only sur- viving charter member. Mr. Parrish became a Mason May 11, 1883, taking the first degree in Live Oak Lodge, No. 61, F. & A. M. On May 18 he rose to the second degree and on June 22 received the third. In December, 1884, he was elected marshal; one year later was chosen junior warden, serving two years in that capacity; and was made senior warden in December, 1887. He was honorary mem- ber of the Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast, his connection with this dating from October 13, 1887. He was identified also with University Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Parrish's principal interest, how- ever, lay along business lines and his determination and reliable methods enabled him to accomplish whatever he undertook. He dealt honestly and honorably with all men and his name came to be regarded as a synonym for integrity in business circles of the city, where his activities were for more than a quarter of a century a force in commercial progress.
CHARLES D. COBB, M. D.
Thorough scientific training qualified Dr. Charles D. Cobb to take up the active work of the profession to which he has devoted his life and has won for him place among the representative phy- sicians and surgeons of Alameda county. A resident of Oakland, the extent of his practice indicates his high standing in the regard of his fellow citizens, for he has been accorded a most liberal practice, that finds its justification in the splendid results that attend his min- istrations. California claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in San Francisco, on the 12th of December, 1872, his par- ents being Isaac and Katharine Cobb. Following the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast the father came to California in 1849 and sought wealth in the mines near Redding until 1853. Like many others, he recognized the fact that, while gold was not to be had for the asking, this rich state offered many other opportunities for the attainment of success and in the year mentioned he removed to Solano county, where he secured a ranch of two thousand acres. Thereon he engaged in farming until 1866, when he removed to San Jose, where he purchased a large tract of land. He was one of the first to raise prunes in the valley and gave strong impetus to what is now one of the most important horticultural enterprises of the state. He con-
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tinued in active connection with the fruit-raising interests until death terminated his labors in 1880.
In the meantime the family home had been established in San Francisco and Dr. Cobb there pursued his early education to the age of ten years. He then crossed the continent to Boston, Massa- chusetts, where he became a high-school pupil, being graduated at the very early age of thirteen. He afterward became a student in the State Normal at San Jose and was graduated with the class of 1888. For four months he engaged in teaching and then returned to Boston, where he entered the College of Oratory, in which he com- pleted a course in 1889. Immediately afterward he again came to California and through the succeeding three years was a student in the State University, making a specialty of social science. He after- ward spent a year in the Cooper Medical College and on the expira- tion of that period went to Chicago, where he studied for a year in the Rush Medical College. The succeeding year was passed as a student in the St. Louis Medical College, from which he in due time graduated. He also attended courses of lectures in the Marion Sims Medical College of St. Louis and is a graduate of that institution. Still later he did post-graduate work in the Harvard Medical Col- lege, remaining there for a year and a half, after which he became instructor of clinical surgery in the St. Louis University, occupying that chair until 1905. In the same year he again went to Boston, where he practiced for a year, and then returned to the Pacific coast, spending four years in practice in Seattle, Washington. The suc- ceeding two years were devoted to clinical work in the east and since his return to California he has been practicing continuously in Oak- land. No dreary novitiate awaited him here. His reputation had already extended to this section of the country, and his pronounced ability brought him almost immediate success. Always careful and cautious in diagnosis, prompt and ready in action, his efforts have been followed with excellent results and his practice has been not only of an extensive but also of a most important character. He has contributed to the literature of the profession as a newspaper and magazine editor and writer and his opinions upon various subjects are largely accepted as standard. Never content with what he has accomplished, he is continually broadening his knowledge by further reading, research and investigation, and he has few equals on the coast in the breadth of his knowledge and none who recognize more truly the opportunities and the responsibilities of the profession.
In Bradford, Pennsylvania, in May, 1906, Dr. Cobb married Miss Rogerson, and they have one son, Charles, who is six years old.
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Politically Dr. Cobb is a republican and fraternally belongs to the Native Sons, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons. He is also a member of the University Club of California, there meeting kindred spirits, all of whom pro- nounce him a hail fellow well met. Along professional lines he be- longs to the Alameda County Medical Society. Since coming to Oakland Dr. Cobb has taken a great interest in the growth and de- velopment of this city and in a quiet way has supported a number of enterprises which have for their aim a greater and better Oakland.
FREDERICK H. WHEATON.
Frederick H. Wheaton is engaged in real-estate transactions in Oakland as a member of the firm of Sullivan & Wheaton and de- serves mention among the leading business men of the city. He was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of July, 1869, and is a son of William H. Wheaton. He attended the public schools of Greenville and Grove City, Pennsylvania, until twenty years of age and then spent a year as a student in Thiel College at Greenville.
On attaining his majority F. H. Wheaton became identified with the P. L. Kimberly Iron Company as bookkeeper and assistant man- ager, acting in those capacities for five years. On the expiration of that period he went to Chicago and was there engaged with the Marsh & King Company in various capacities. He became a mem- ber of the firm, which conducted a stock commission business, and continued therewith until 1902, when he sold out and embarked in the business of leather goods manufacturing, remaining the senior member of the firm of Wheaton & Smith for two years or until he disposed of his interests. Subsequently he made his way to Seattle, Washington, where he was engaged in the real-estate business for four years and then went to Nevada, conducting a brokerage business in that state for one year. He then removed to San Francisco, where he was engaged in the real-estate business for a year and afterward was associated with the George Schmidt Real Estate Company in Berkeley until July, 1911. At that time he resigned his position and came to Oakland, opening a real-estate office in the Syndicate build- ing, while in October, 1913, he joined Mr. Sullivan in a partnership under the firm style of Sullivan & Wheaton. They enjoy an extensive and gratifying clientage and are meeting with well merited success in their undertakings.
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In Greenville, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of December, 1892, Mr. Wheaton was united in marriage to Miss Rose Hodge. In politics he is a republican. His fellow townsmen recognize his merit and ability, and his business colleagues entertain the warmest admiration for his many good qualities.
HON. FRANK B. OGDEN.
There are few men in official life in Oakland more deserving of the encomiums of their associates and the respect and confidence of the public than Hon. Frank B. Ogden, who enjoys the distinction of having served more than twenty consecutive years as judge of the superior court, a longer continuous term in this office than any other man on the bench except Judge Ellsworth. His work in this respon- sible position has been intelligent, constructive and impartial and he fully deserves the confidence and respect which the community has accorded to him.
Judge Ogden is a native of New Jersey, born in Newark, April 26, 1858. His parents came to California in 1870, when the Judge was a lad of twelve, and he has lived in this state continuously since. After completing a public-school education he determined to follow the legal profession and accordingly studied law in San Francisco, being admitted to the bar in 1882. He remained in private practice for two years, his work showing a comprehensive and exact knowl- edge of underlying legal principles and keen insight and sagacity along the lines of his profession. When he was only twenty-eight years of age, in 1886, he was elected to the bench in the justice court, where he served with credit and ability for six years. Because of his excellent record, his efficiency and the general satisfaction with which his administration had been received he was in February, 1892, ap- pointed by Governor Markham to the superior court of Alameda county and he has served in this important position for more than twenty years. His public work is like an open book and his inter- pretation of the law, his understanding of equity in involved cases and his correct rulings, free from prejudice or favor, have made him an ideal judge.
Judge Ogden has four children: Marguerite, a graduate of the University of California; Clarence and Rosalie, now students in that institution; and Frank, attending the Oakland high school. The Judge is preeminently a man of judicial temperament, careful, con- scientious and open-minded. These qualities have made him emi- Vol. II-31
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nently successful on the bench, while his many excellent personal characteristics have gained him the esteem and admiration of his friends and associates.
JOSEPH KYLE WARNER, M. D.
Dr. Joseph Kyle Warner has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Livermore for the past eighteen years and is recognized as an able representative of the profession who ever keeps in touch with the most advanced methods and discoveries. His birth occurred in Shellsburg, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, on the 2d of September, 1868, his parents being John and Julia F. (Berry) Warner, the former a native of England and the latter of Wisconsin. John Warner came to California in 1868 and in the spring of 1870 brought his family to this state, locating in Stanislaus county, where he embarked in business as a general merchant. Subsequently he served as county assessor and later was engaged in the lumber busi- ness for several years. He is now living retired and makes his home in San Jose, Santa Clara county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. John Warner have the following children: John B., who is employed in the engineering department of the United States government at San Francisco but resides in Oakland; Joseph Kyle, of this review; Wil- liam B., who is engaged in business as a general merchant of Hick- man, Stanislaus county; Edna, the wife of Dr. F. B. Pearce, of San Jose; Ethel, who gave her hand in marriage to John Gallegos of Mission San Jose, a descendant of one of the very old families of Alameda county ; and Adel, still at home.
Dr. Joseph K. Warner acquired his early education in the public schools and continued his studies in the State Normal School of San Jose. In preparation for the practice of medicine he entered the medical department of the University of California and was gradu- ated from that institution with the degree of M. D. in 1891. Subse- quently he spent one year as interne in the Marine Hospital of San Francisco and was afterward engaged in practice in that city until 1894, when he went to New York, there pursuing post-graduate work for one year. Returning to San Francisco he followed his profession until 1896 and in that year came to Livermore, where he has main- tained an office to the present time. In 1909 he went abroad and visited London, Berlin, Vienna and Paris in post-graduate work. familiarizing himself with the most improved foreign methods in
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medicine and surgery. He likewise spent considerable time in the Maternity Hospital at Glasgow. Dr. Warner acts as local surgeon at Livermore for the Western Pacific Railway and is widely recog- nized as a leading and successful representative of his chosen pro- fession.
At Berkeley, California, on the 22d of July, 1911, Dr. Warner was united in marriage to Miss Ethel V. Cumberpatch, a native of London, England, and a daughter of George Cumberpatch, who is connected with the engineering department of the Southern Pacific Railway and has been a resident of this state for twenty years. The Doctor and his wife have two children, Joseph Kyle and Frances Jean. Dr. Warner gives his political allegiance to the republican party but takes no active part in politics. Fraternally he is identified with Oak Lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Foresters of America and the Masons at Livermore. In the course of a life devoted intelli- gently to the amelioration of the ills of mankind he has conscien- tiously attempted to perform his duty, and he richly merits the esteem in which he is held by the people of Livermore and its vicinity.
EUGENE E. TREFETHEN.
Eugene E. Trefethen, junior partner in the firm of Chapman & Trefethen, attorneys at law in Oakland, is a native son of the city, born January 11, 1875, his parents being Eugene A. and Ada S. (Van Syckle) Trefethen. Representatives of the paternal branch of the family, which was of Welsh origin, came in the early part of the seventeenth century from England to Maine, while the maternal an- cestors were among the early Dutch residents of New York. The father of our subject came to California about the year 1869 and ac- quired valuable timber interests in this state.
Eugene E. Trefethen was reared on the east side of the bay and acquired his education in the old Lafayette and Cole grammar schools of Oakland, which he attended from 1883 until 1889. He was afterward a student in the Oakland high school from 1890 to 1892 and later took a post-graduate course in that institution. In 1893 he entered the University of California, but shortly before the completion of his course in the College of Social Science was com- pelled to leave without his degree on account of an injury to his eye. He went to Alaska and there spent two years engaged in mining and
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other occupations, numbering among his friends and companions at this time Rex Beach, the famous author. In 1898 Mr. Trefethen returned to the university and was graduated with the degree of l'h. B. with the class of 1899. He afterward took a course in shorthand and typewriting and in September of that year entered the law office of Chapman & Clift as stenographer and clerk. In his spare mo- ments he studied law and on the ist of September, 1901, was admitted to practice before the supreme court. The firm of Chapman & Clift was dissolved in 1902 and Mr. Trefethen remained with Mr. Chap- man as assistant attorney until June, 1910, when he was admitted to partnership. He occupies a high position at the bar of Alameda county and enjoys in an unusual degree the confidence of his clients and the good-will of his fellow practitioners.
On the 31st of August, 1905, Mr. Trefethen was united in mar- riage to Miss Georgia Van Voorhies Carroll, and they have become the parents of four children, Carol A., Dorothy J., Eugene E., Jr., and Van Syckle.
Mr. Trefethen is a member of the Nile Club and connected fra- ternally with the Royal Arcanum. He is one of Oakland's popular and representative citizens and in a profession where advancement depends almost entirely upon individual merit has made rapid and steady progress, standing today in the front ranks of able and suc- cessful attorneys.
J. C. BLACK.
During a period of connection with the Standard Oil Company dating from 1897, J. C. Black has become known as one of the most capable and reliable representatives of that great corporation. He has risen in its service until he is now chief engineer at the large re- fining plant at Point Richmond. He was born in Indiana and reared in Chicago, Illinois, acquiring his education in the public schools of that city and in Armour Institute.
Following the completion of his studies J. C. Black entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company, a concern with which many of the members of his family had previously been identified. He first joined the company in 1897 at the refinery at Whiting, Indiana, and so quickly proved his ability that when they decided to erect a mammoth refining plant at Point Richmond in 1901 he was chosen to take charge of this work. He arrived in Point Richmond October
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7, 1901, and has since remained a resident, witnessing the develop- ment of a little village into a prosperous community of sixteen thou- sand inhabitants. Mr. Black had charge of all of the construction work at the plant, which is one of the largest oil refineries west of the Mississippi river. It was erected at a cost of many millions of dollars and has since made Point Richmond famous as an oil- shipping center, the shipments averaging over one and one-half million tons a year. The capacity of the plant, which now covers three hundred acres of land and gives employment to two thousand men, will be doubled in the near future. Thus the importance of Mr. Black's position as chief engineer may readily be seen. Through seventeen years' connection with the Standard Oil Company he has proven his capability in positions of trust and responsibility as well as his integrity of character and his superior professional attainments.
M1. Black is a director in the First National Bank of Richmond and has become well known in business circles of the city, where his ability and honesty are recognized and respected. He commands and holds the confidence and regard of all who are in any way asso- ciated with him.
FRANK E. BROWNING.
The roster of city officials of Alameda contains the name of no more worthy, consicentious and capable public servant than Frank E. Browning, who since May 1, 1907, has filled the position of city clerk with credit and ability. He was born in Livingston county, Michigan, September 20, 1866, but he is nevertheless a representa- tive of one of California's pioneer families, his birth having occurred while his parents were visiting in the east. His grandfather moved from New York to Livingston county, Michigan, in the early '30s and his father, Jacob Browning, came to California in 1849. He settled in San Francisco in the early days of the city's history and engaged in the teaming business there until three years before his death, which occurred in 1909. He was one of the founders of the Mechanics Institute and a member of the Vigilance Committee of San Francisco and at one time owned all of the property upon which the St. Francis hotel now stands. His death was a loss to the city, as the ranks of her honored pioneers numbered one less, and was sin- cerely and deeply regretted by many friends to whom his unright character and genuine personal worth had greatly endeared him.
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His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Zernah Smith, was born in Michigan, a daughter of William and Leah Smith, of Livingston county.
Frank E. Browning grew to manhood in San Francisco, acquiring his education in the grammar and high schools of that city. In 1885, after his graduation from the latter institution, he joined his father in the teaming business and for thirteen years engaged in that occu- pation, building up a large and representative patronage. In 1898 he began his public career, entering the county clerk's office in San Francisco as deputy under Frank C. Jordan. After four years he came to Alameda and identified himself with the Pacific Light Com- pany of this city, acting as collector and statement taker until April, 1907. In May of that year he was appointed city clerk of Alameda and he has served by reappointment since that time, his return to office signifying the high quality of his services and the excellent results which have attended his labors.
Mr. Browning married Miss Mabel Hussey, a daughter of George V. and Sarah A. Hussey, of San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Browning have become the parents of two children : George N., aged twenty-three; and Ella, eighteen. Mr. Browning is well known in local fraternal circles, holding membership in Alameda Lodge, No. 1015, B. P. O. E .; Alameda Aerie, No. 1076, F. O. E .; and Alameda Lodge, No. 509, L. O. M. He was initiated into the Masonic order according to the Scottish Rite and is now a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 396, A. F. & A. M. He was for four years secretary of the Alameda Boat Club, of which he is still a member, and he is affiliated also with the California Pioneers. He gives a great deal of his time to the conduct of the affairs of his office and has made an excellent record for probity, enterprise and ability, a record which adds to the honor and esteem in which his name has long been held in this section of the state.
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT FARRELLY.
Among the honored dead of Alameda county is numbered Rob- ert Farrelly. His career was one of distinct usefulness and benefit for many years to the community in which he lived. He stood as a high type of American manhood, citizenship and chivalry, and he ever represented the highest standards of industrial, educational and moral activity. He contributed much to the welfare and prosperity
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of Alameda county through the development of its fruit-growing possibilities and his place, Elmhurst, became famed as one of the most important horticultural centers in the vicinity of Oakland. A native of Parkesburg, Chester county, Pennsylvania, he was born February 24, 1824. His father, Patrick Farrelly, was a native of Ireland and there learned and followed the weaver's trade, but in early manhood sought the opportunities of the new world, crossing the Atlantic to the United States. Thereafter he was a resident of Pennsylvania until called to the home beyond, his death occurring in Philadelphia when he had reached the age of fifty-eight years. It was in that state that he married Sarah Wetherlow, who was born in Coatesville, Chester county.
The family home being established in Philadelphia, Robert Far- relly was there reared and educated and, as usual with the boys of the period, he began learning a trade, taking up carpentering, when seventeen years of age, in that city and in Reading, Pennsylvania. At a period in life when a story of opportunity and adventure takes a strong hold upon one, he heard of the west and resolved that he would try his fortune upon the Pacific coast, where the discovery of gold seemed to open a limitless field for ambitious young men. On the 26th of February, 1849, two days after celebrating his twenty- fifth birthday, he joined a company intending to go to California, a company that chartered a schooner which was to convey them to Tampico, Mexico. From that point they traveled overland to San Blas on the Gulf of California, at which point Mr. Farrelly and four companions embarked on another ship for San Francisco, where they arrived on the 15th of July. There was a great demand for carpen- try work, and Mr. Farrelly, therefore, resumed activities in the line of his trade. He had no difficulty in finding not only all the work he could do but more and was thus employed until March, 1850, when he went to San Jose Mission, where he also spent a year car- pentering. In 1851 he became a resident of San Lorenzo, Alameda county, then a part of Contra Costa county, and purchased of Wil- liam Castro sixty-five acres of land, turning his attention to general farming, in which he continued until 1859. He then disposed of his land and in 1860 purchased the farm on Stanley road, near Oak- land, on which he continued to reside until his demise. He came into possession of an uncultivated tract and at once began the work of development, the result of his labors being manifest in one of the most valuable ranches of Alameda county. His place comprised fifty-two and a quarter acres, rich and productive, and as the result of the improvements which he placed upon it, it became worth five
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