USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
55
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
conducting a successful business along these lines, as is evidenced from the fact that their list of shareholders includes people from various cities and states, including Burlingame, San Jose, Point Rich- mond, Mendocino, San Mateo, Cedarville, Campo Seco, Berkeley, San Leandro, Stockton, Fruitvale, Broderick, Riverdale, Angels Camp, Oakland, San Francisco, Richmond, Piedmont, Sacramento, Del Monte, Visalia, Amedee, Arcata, Spreckels, Oilfields and Santa Cruz, California; Verdi, Tonopah, Lovelock and Reno, Nevada; Topeka, Kansas; Portland, Oregon; Osceola and Council Bluffs, Iowa; Chicago, Freeport, Brownstown, Beecher City, Dietrich, Greenville, Morrisonville, Mount Olive, Staunton and Effingham, Illinois; Crawford, New Jersey; Crown King and Phoenix, Ari- zona; and Honolulu.
The founders of United Home Builders include men of years of experience in building and real estate in the Bay cities. They spent much time studying the most successful companies of other cities before they applied the plan here. The president of the concern is Frederick G. Becker, member of the Real Estate Association of Oak- land, actively engaged in real-estate and building operations in this city for several years past. He was formerly connected with the firm of Becker & Eliel, vice president of the Northern Dredging Com- pany in Canada and connected also with Becker, Mayer & Company, manufacturers, in Chicago. A. F. Eliel, vice president of United Home Builders, has had thirty years' experience in the general con- tracting business in several countries. While in South Africa he was consulting construction engineer of one of the largest mines in the world, and for seven years he has been engaged in the building busi- ness in Oakland. He was formerly connected with the firm of Becker & Eliel. The other officers in this concern are: T. A. Mitchell, second vice president, formerly branch manager for the Ford Automobile Company in Iowa; B. G. Ensign, treasurer, for- merly president of the State Bank of Neola, Iowa, and of the Bank of Persia, that state; W. A. Powell, secretary, a member of the well known law firm of Schwartz & Powell, of Oakland ; G. H. Hunger- ford, assistant secretary; and R. Kittrelle, director. With such men of wide experience and recognized ability United Home Builders cannot fail to reap the fullest advantage of the tremendous oppor- tunities now being offered in this city.
Interviewed regarding this enterprise, its purpose and its success, President Frederick G. Becker said: "A proposition of this kind financed by the general public is the best for the county at large. Any time a clean proposition is put to the public and the people
56
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
interested, it is a boost to the community. It helps all and is a new factor in progress. With a large number of stockholders, every one is a silent salesman and a booster. It can be handled on an extensive scale, so why not divide the profits with the general public instead of borrowing money from the banks. Oakland and Alameda county is an ideal location for a project of this kind. The people have been setting the stage for years and the curtain is now ready to rise on the first act of progress. Oakland is strictly a home town and Alameda county the hub of all the surrounding counties of the state. The United Home Builders are almost pioneers in the field. This section has a million people to draw from. The success of this enterprise is assured with the fine management. Many eastern people have been interested and are now locating here; also many from the southern part of the state are realizing the fine climate of Oakland. The people are demanding a better class of homes and more artistic, also calling for larger lots, where they can cultivate flowers, etc. The company is improving and beautifying its tract. The demand for plastered exterior houses tends to beautify the hills around the bay and the color of the homes against the green hills makes it similar to the Italian villas in Italy. Oakland has the making of the finest residential city in the Union."
LESTER G. BURPEE.
More than a quarter of a century ago Lester G. Burpee entered the First National Bank of Oakland in the capacity of bookkeeper and has remained with the institution to the present time, winning successive promotions until elected vice president in 1906. which position he now holds. His birth occurred in Jacksonville, Oregon, on the 4th of September, 1860, his parents being Joseph S. and Irene J. Burpee. In 1873 the father came to Oakland, California, and embarked in business as a building contractor, being thus success- fully engaged until the time of his retirement in 1906. In former years he was an active member of the Municipal League.
Lester G. Burpee attended the graded and high schools of Oak- land until 1879 and then became private secretary to E. C. Sessions, who was at that time president of the Oakland Bank of Savings. In 1881 he left that position and went to Solano county, where he purchased a fruit ranch, operating the same until he disposed of it in 1883. In that year he returned to Oakland and here secured a posi-
57
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
tion as clerk in the office of the deputy city marshal, while at the end of a year he became deputy in the office of the city treasurer, discharging the duties of the latter position for six months. Subse- quently he was employed as bookkeeper in several mercantile houses until 1886, in which year he entered the First National Bank as bookkeeper, afterward serving as exchange clerk, receiving teller and cashier in that institution. In 1906 he was elected vice president and in that position has since remained an important factor in the control and management of the bank, being also a director. He likewise acts as vice president and director of the First Trust & Savings Bank, which is affiliated with the First National Bank. His rise in financial circles is further attested by the fact that he is now serving as vice president of the Oakland Clearing House, while formerly he was a director of the People's Water Company and the New Oakland Hotel.
In January, 1882, at Oakland, Mr. Burpee was joined in wed- lock to Miss Mary Isabelle Adams, by whom he has four children, as follows: Earl Lester, who is employed as a salesman by R. A. Leet Company of Oakland; Joseph S., Jr., the cashier of the West Oakland Bank; Donald, who is a public-school student; and Mrs. Roy B. Baker, of Oakland.
Mr. Burpee gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in religious faith is a Methodist. He acts as treasurer of the Young Men's Christian Association and Young Women's Christian Association and is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, be- longing to Oakland Lodge and Chapter and having attained the fourteenth degree of the Scottish Rite. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Nile Club, the Commercial Club, the Home Club of Oakland, the San Francisco Fly Casting Club and the Oakland Scottish Bowling Club. Mr. Burpee looks at life from a broad standpoint, recognizes its obligations and its opportunities and in the enjoyment of the latter never neglects the former.
EDWARD J. TYRRELL.
Edward J. Tyrrell, state senator, is a native of Oakland. He was born May 19, 1880, and in the public schools of his native city acquired an education. On the ist of April, 1905, he was appointed secretary to Mayor Frank K. Mott and served in that capacity until
58
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
January 1, 1911, when he resigned to attend the session of the legis- lature, having been elected state senator in November, 1910.
Mr. Tyrrell is a lawyer by profession, having been admitted to the bar on the 15th of October, 1909, since which time he has engaged in active practice. On the Ist of August, 1913, he was appointed attorney for the California State Commission in Lunacy.
Mr. Tyrrell is a married man and is identified with several fra- ternal and social organizations. He has membership with the Elks, the Moose, the Knights of Columbus and also in the Commercial Club and the Chamber of Commerce.
E. R. ANTHONY.
Among the well known residents of Alameda, California, is E. R. Anthony, who holds the important position of assistant superin- tendent of the Southern Pacific Railway Company. Mr. Anthony was born in Sacramento, California, in 1860, and has been a resident of Alameda, Alameda county, ever since 1875. After completing his education, he entered as a youth the services of the Southern Pacific Railway Company and gradually rose to importance. For seventeen years Mr. Anthony was a paymaster of the company and for ten years has been assistant superintendent. He is successful largely on account of his rare executive ability, and he also has the knack of handling a great amount of detail work without overlook- ing the more important phases of work under his direction. Mr. Anthony stands in the most cordial relations with the men who work under him, who esteem him as a man of character and one who is just in all of his dealings. He corrects by censure where such a course is needed but he is just as ready to commend any of his em- ployes for their enterprise and faithfulness, and stands high in the estimation of his superior officers.
Mr. Anthony was married on the 20th of June, 1883, to Miss Helen V. Hitchcock, a native of Illinois and to them have been born three children. Gerald is a resident of Alameda; E. R., Jr., is with the American Radiator Company at San Francisco; and the daugh- ter, Helen, is at home.
Mr. Anthony is socially popular in Alameda, where he has many friends. He is well known in commercial circles and has done much toward popularizing his company among business men of the place and section. Fraternally he is a Mason, exemplifying in his life the
59
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
beneficent principles of that order, and politically he is a republican, having been active in the interest of his party for many years. For twenty years he has been the president of the Alameda Republican Club. Mr. Anthony is a business man of probity, energy and good judgment, and the high position which he has attained in railroad circles has come to him in response to hard work and close applica- tion. He interests himself in all public measures that will make for the improvement of local conditions and is in every way a public- spirited man and valuable citizen.
REV. PATRICK J. QUINN.
Rev. Patrick J. Quinn, pastor of St. Andrew's church in Oak- land, was born in Templemore, Ireland, on the 17th of November, 1868, and is a son of Richard and Helen (Bannon) Quinn. In the acquirement of an education he attended the schools of his native country until he was fifteen years of age and then entered St. Patrick's College at Thurles, from which institution he was graduated in 1894. In the same year he crossed the Atlantic to America and went to Washington, D. C., where he entered the Catholic University, study- ing for the priesthood and graduating in 1895.
After his ordination he came to California as assistant pastor of St. Patrick's church at San Jose, whence after one year he was trans- ferred to San Francisco as assistant pastor of St. Patrick's church of that city. He held that responsible position for two years, after which he was made assistant pastor of St. Brenden's church in San Francisco, where he remained for four years, receiving at the end of that time his appointment as pastor of St. Alphonsus' church at Suisun, California. There he did capable and farsighted work in the cause of the Catholic religion until 1907, when he became pastor of St. Andrew's church in Oakland, a position which he still holds and in which he has done excellent work during the eight years of his connection with the church. The church building, which was dedicated September 19, 1909, by Archbishop Riordan, of San Fran- cisco, is constructed after a peculiarly attractive style, being the only real reproduction of old California mission architecture in the city. It is a cement structure built at a cost of sixty thousand dollars, and it serves one of the largest and most important parishes in Oakland.
Father Quinn belongs to Pioneer Council, No. 1, Y. M. I., and is chaplain of Oakland Council, No. 787, K. C. He is undoubtedly
1
60
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
doing a great work in this city among the Catholic people, and he has their love in large measure, while he enjoys the respect and confidence of people of all denominations. He is a man of scholarly attainments, most earnest and consecrated in his work, and is ever watchful over the interests of his people, his activities being an im- portant element in the spread of Catholic doctrines in this part of California.
WILLIAM REED.
No one can carry investigation far into the pioneer history of California without learning of the honorable and useful career of William Reed, whose identification with this state dates back to the days of the early mining boom, and who from that time until his death remained one of the greatest single forces in the development of the Bay country.
Mr. Reed came of a well known family, the American progenitor having been Andrew Reed, a retired colonel of the English army, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1693, and there mar- ried Jean Murray, of Scotch-Irish descent. With his wife and eight sons and one daughter Colonel Andrew Reed came to America, set- tling in Boothbay, Maine, in 1743. With others he founded the first church in that town and a nephew of Mrs. Reed, Rev. John Murray, was its first pastor. Colonel Reed died July 22, 1762, and his wife February 8, 1780. Two sons passed away before the Revolutionary war and of the six remaining five took an active part in that struggle, as did also several of Colonel Reed's grandsons. The eldest son, Andrew (from whom the Reed family of Oakland is descended ), was a lieutenant colonel and his son Robert, a boy of nineteen, was a fifer. Paul, the sixth son, was commander of a privateer which captured several valuable prizes. David was a captain, Joseph, first lieutenant and William a private. A grandson, Andrew, Jr., was second lieutenant and Robert, before mentioned, was afterward cap- tain of a revenue cutter in connection with the custom house at Wis- casset, Maine. His son William followed the sea for many years and was in command of a vessel captured by the British in the war of 1812. He was afterward paroled and allowed to continue his voyage. One dark night a vessel under his command ran afoul of the man-of-war Constitution in Boston harbor, breaking a spar of Old Ironsides. Captain William Reed established his home in
-
----------------- -
--
Hannah & Red
William Road
65
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Vassalboro, Maine, in 1835, and in the meantime had married Han- nah P. Hutchings. Among the children born to this union was a son, William, of this review, whose birth occurred October 11, 1811, on Cape Newagen Island, now known as Westport, Lincoln county, Maine. The Reed family is well represented in Oakland and the vicinity by the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the pioneer, William Reed, who with their wives and children now number forty living descendants, among whom may be mentioned Charles G. Reed, formerly national bank examiner, and George W. and Clarence M. Reed, senior and junior members of the former law firm of Reed, Black & Reed.
Early in his life William Reed became familiar with the sea, accompanying his father on his voyages, and when he grew to maturity he turned his attention to a seafaring life, becoming com- mander of a vessel at the age of twenty years. He conveyed the first cargo of cotton ever sent direct from a southern port to Europe, making the trip from Galveston, Texas, to Havre de Grace in 1846. This marked an epoch in the development of shipping relations between the United States and Europe, for previous to this time all cotton had been sent to New York or Boston and reshipped. On the return voyage Captain Reed brought back a cargo of wines procured at Bordeaux. During the thirty years or more of his seafaring life he entered every port of any importance from Maine to Florida, as well as Mobile and New Orleans, besides making several voyages to Europe and various ports of the West Indies. In 1850, on his ship Rob Roy, he made the trip around Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco on August 9th of that year, bringing with him as part of the cargo the stern-wheel steamer Kennebec, which was put to- gether at North Beach and later, with William Reed as captain, plied between Sacramento and Marysville. In 1851 Captain Reed returned to Maine and there engaged in farming until 1854, when he came again to California, mining at Angels' Camp for two years thereafter. At the end of that time he sent for his family and on November 4, 1856, they settled in Oakland, the captain having pur- chased a tract of thirteen acres on Market street and turned his attention to raising fruit From the later sale of this property, all of which is now a part of the city, he realized a comfortable fortune and upon this was able to spend his declining years in retirement from business cares, his hom being at the corner of Sixteenth and Market streets.
On the 30th of December, 1839, Captain Reed was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Carleton Hall, who was born at Vassal- Vol. II-4
66
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
boro, Maine, August 16, 1818, a daughter of John Goffe and Mercy (Taylor) Hall. Six children were born to the marriage of Captain and Mrs. Reed: Elizabeth M., who was born in 1840 and who is now the widow of D. P. Barstow; Emily F., who was born in 1842 and who has passed away; Charles Goffe, born in 1844; George W., born in 1852; Nellie Carleton, who was born in 1854 and who is now the wife of Thomas C. Mayon, and Annie Lincoln, who was born in 1857 and who has passed away. Captain Reed and his wife are both deceased, the former passing away April 19, 1905, when in his ninety-fourth year, and the latter December 31, 1906.
Captain Reed was intensely interested in public affairs and was a member of the Union League, organized during the Civil war. He was at one time a member of the board of education in Oakland, and the public-school system found in him a loyal and able supporter. In public as well as in private life his honor never was questioned, and his word was always as good as his bond. His sterling character and upright dealings with his fellowmen won for him the love and friendship of all who knew him, and his death was deeply and sin- cerely mourned in the city where he had made his home for so many years.
D. G. DONAHUE.
D. G. Donahue, secretary, treasurer and attorney of the Fulcher Concrete Block & Paving Company, has been a resident of California since March, 1911, and of Oakland since December of that year. A lawyer by profession, he has now turned his attention to commercial pursuits in his active connection with the Fulcher Company. He was born in Hancock, Michigan, February 6, 1879, a son of J. C. and Minnie (Jennings) Donahue. He attended the public schools until he reached the age of eighteen years, after which he became baggage man for the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Railroad, con- tinuing in that position for three years. He afterward attended the Michigan College of Mines, studying mining engineering for two years, and later he entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1906 with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws. Having thus prepared for a professional career, he opened offices in Hancock, Michigan, and South Range, Michi- gan, practicing in both places. He was city attorney in the latter place until 1910, when he removed to Chicago, where he followed
67
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
his profession until March, 1911. At that date he became a resident of Del Norte county, California, practicing in Crescent City until the following October. In December of the same year he came to Oakland, where he opened a law office and was in active practice until April 24, 1913, when he became secretary, treasurer and attor- ney of the Fulcher Concrete Block & Paving Company, which positions he now holds. As legal advisor and practical business man he is contributing to the success of this growing enterprise.
Mr. Donahue was married in Hudson, Wisconsin, to Mrs. Dolly (Lynch) O'Dell on the 15th of June, 1909. They have gained many friends during their residence in this state. Mr. Donahue gives his political allegiance to the progressive party, and his fraternal con- nections are with the Elks and with the Masons. He has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is most loyal to the craft and exemplifies in his life its beneficent teachings.
WALTER D. COLE.
Walter D. Cole, a representative of the legal profession in Oak- land, has here practiced as a member of the firm of Peck, Bunker & Cole since March, 1911. His birth occurred in San Bernardino county, California, on the 15th of April, 1880, his parents being James A. and Mary E. Cole. The father came to California in 1850, settling in San Bernardino county, where he engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising and became a large landowner. His demise occurred in the year 1885.
Walter D. Cole completed the high-school course in 1900 and subsequently entered the law department of the University of Michi- gan, from which institution he was graduated in 1905. Locating for practice in Tonopah, Nevada, he there followed his profession until 1909 or until appointed by the supreme court as a member of the code commission for the revising of the state laws. His duties in that connection demanded his attention until March, 1911, when he came to Oakland and joined the law firm of Peck & Bunker, which has since been known as Peck, Bunker & Cole. This firm are the per- sonal attorneys and are handling the corporation interests of F. M. Smith in the bay region and throughout California. Mr. Cole has always realized that success depends largely upon a thorough prep- aration of his cases and has never feared that laborious work of the
68
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
office which must precede the presentation of his case in the court- room. His reasoning is strong, his deductions logical and his points follow in a natural sequence that cannot fail to impress court and jury with the correctness of his opinion. He never fails to command the attention of those in the courtroom and seldom fails to win the verdict desired.
In Oakland, on the 7th of October, 1907, Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Burdge, by whom he has two children, John A. and Walter D., Jr., who were born in 1909 and 1911, re- spectively .- In politics Mr. Cole is a democrat, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He has many genial and admirable qualities which have gained him a host of friends and it is charac- teristic of him that he holds friendship inviolable.
JOSEPH KNOWLAND.
Prominently connected with various business and corporate in- terests of San Francisco and Alameda, Joseph Knowland became known as one of the real builders and promoters of the Bay country of California and through the extent and importance of his commercial and financial relations influenced in an important way general ad- vancement and progress. From pioneer times until his death, November 13, 1913, he remained prominent in business circles and in Alameda, where he had resided since 1872, was also a leader in the advancement of those interests looking toward civic development and community growth. He was born in New York, October 8, 1833, and was reared in Southampton, Long Island, a representative of a family long established on American soil.
Joseph Knowland acquired his education in the public schools of Southampton, and when a young man moved to California, at- tracted by the reports of the gold discoveries in this state. He secured passage on the George Law to Aspinwall, arriving in San Francisco on the 14th of February, 1857. Shortly afterward he went to the mines and worked in the neighborhood of Yankee Jim's, in Placer county, until illness compelled him to return to San Francisco. Fol- lowing his recovery he secured an engagement with the shipping house of Moore & Folger, then agents for a line of clipper ships running between San Francisco and New York city. Mr. Knowland retained this connection for some years and also had other engage- ments of a like character. In the year 1862 he first became connected
--
69
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
with the lumber business, in which he became a prominent figure in the course of time. He first secured a position with Benjamin Dore and afterward was connected with the house of Blythe & Wetherbee. In 1867 he formed a partnership with Jason Springer, and they established an independent business under the name of Springer & Knowland, this enterprise existing for about three years. During this period Mr. Knowland was ill for some time and out of business for about a year. Afterward he associated himself with Charles F. Doe under the title of Knowland & Doe, and this firm controlled a large and important lumber business for a number of years. After the company was dissolved Mr. Knowland made a trip east and upon his return in 1882 assisted in the organization of the Gardiner Mill Company, with which he was connected until his death, being for many years previous president and managing owner. The Gardiner Mill Company controls a very important enterprise. The mill, which is located at Gardiner City, Oregon, was burned in October, 1888, but this impeded operations for only a time. The company today owns extensive lumber lands and has interests in a coasting fleet besides being heavily interested in the Kerckhoff-Cuz- ner Mill & Lumber Company of Los Angeles. In its operations a large amount of money is used, and it makes for the development of this section as only such an extensive enterprise can.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.