USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 7
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On the 25th of December, 1887, Mr. Hollister was united in marriage to Miss Maude Doty, a daughter of George and Hattie Doty, of Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Hollister have three children : Edward, twenty-three years of age; Roland, twenty; and Gladys, sixteen.
In the life history of Mr. Hollister there is a creditable military chapter. On the 27th of April, 1898, he enlisted in the First Cali- fornia Volunteer Regiment and until September 21, 1899, served as regimental band master, receiving his honorable discharge when his regiment was mustered out of the United States service. He served with distinction in the Philippines, participating in several important engagements of the Spanish-American war, and since its close has been a member of the California National Guard. He is an accomplished musician and an enthusiastic hunter, giving a great deal of his leisure time to the latter recreation. In military and social circles of Alameda county he is well known and popular and along professional lines has gained that distinction which results only from superior merit and ability.
HENRY F. STEEN.
As Pacific coast manager for the National Biscuit Company, the position of Henry F. Steen in commercial circles is one of import- ance. for in this connection he controls extensive commercial inter- ests. He was born in Ireland, March 28, 1874, a son of John and Jane Steen. After attending public schools of Chicago to the age of fifteen years, he then entered the Lewis Institute of that city, from
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which he was graduated at the age of eighteen. He made his initial step in the business world in connection with the National Biscuit Company of Chicago, in the capacity of clerk, and his faithfulness and industry won him recognition that brought about promotion. He was made cashier and afterward salesman and in December, 1905, was appointed to the position of manager of one of the Chicago branches of the corporation, there remaining until February, 1911, when he was transferred to Los Angeles as superintendent of south- ern California agencies. After six months spent in that city he came to Oakland and organized the Pacific coast department, having charge of fifteen branch houses on the coast with Oakland as headquarters. They have erected a fine three-story brick building at Fortieth street and San Pablo avenue for their purpose and are constructing similar buildings all over the coast, where they have branch houses. Mr. Steen is the controlling spirit in the development of the business on the coast and has instituted plans and methods which are proving directly beneficial as factors in the growth and prosperity of the business.
On the 7th of May, 1896, in Chicago, Mr. Steen was married to Miss Eugenie V. Brain, and they have two children : Myrtle, seven- teen years of age, who is attending high school, and Alfred, eleven years of age, a pupil in the Emerson public school. The parents hold membership in the Baptist church, and Mr. Steen belongs to the order of the Royal Arcanum. His political indorsement is given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, although he keeps well informed on the ques- tions of the day and is a public-spirited citizen. His time, however, is fully occupied with the responsibilities and interests of a growing business, in control of which he has become recognized as one of the representative men of his city.
E. N. TAPSCOTT.
E. N. Tapscott, engaged in the real-estate business in Oakland, is known as the biggest individual owner of subdivided property in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. He is a native of Howards- ville, Virginia, and a son of W. L. and Sallie E. Tapscott. In the acquirement of an education he attended successively the public schools, the Miller Manual School of Albemarle at Miller School, Albemarle county, Virginia, and Gans Academy at Red Bluff,
E. N. TAPSCOTT
E
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Tehama county, California. Subsequently he removed to Prince- ton, Colusa county, this state, and there conducted a mercantile estab- lishment for two years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and returned to Red Bluff, where he was successfully engaged in the same business for fifteen years.
Mr. Tapscott then came to Oakland and embarked in the real- estate business with E. J. Henderson under the firm style of Hender- son & Tapscott. The partnership was dissolved in January, 1912, and since that time Mr. Tapscott has conducted his interests independ- ently. In 1906 the firm of Henderson & Tapscott put on the market the Kinsella tract No. 1, in Elmhurst, then a rolling country. Next they subdivided Kinsella tract No. 2. The rolling fields turned into homes and stores, property values went up and many a person who had paid a few hundred for a lot realized to the extent of thousands on the deal. The two tracts, comprising one hundred and fifteen acres, are now all utilized as city lots. They then purchased one hundred and six acres on the county line and put the property on the market as the Henderson & Tapscott tract No. I. Homes sprang up like mushrooms in the night. The Toler Heights tract, embracing two hundred acres and located on the beautiful scenic boulevard over- looking a magnificent panorama of city and suburb, lake and bay, in the annexed district, is another of the many subdivisions which has proven its great popularity by increasing sales and demand from the first day it was placed on the market. The lots in this tract are all fifty feet front with a generous depth. The property contains all improvements, including water mains, sewers and street work. The following is an excerpt from a local publication : "Tapscott usually gets what he wants. He wanted a railroad for the benefit of his clients in the Toler Heights. He built one extending from the tract to the East Fourteenth street line of the Oakland Traction Company. He paid twenty thousand dollars for that railroad and presented it to the railroad company. Recently the contract was let for forty thousand dollars worth of sewer work in the tract."
Mr. Tapscott has on the market for himself Boulevard Gardens tract No. I and Reserve Boulevard tract, comprising one hundred and sixty acres in city lots. He purchased the land from a man who had made a failure of it and turned it into a successful proposition. Then came North Berkeley Terrace, which rests on a continuation of the lower range of foothills that shelter Claremont and Piedmont. The lots in this one hundred and sixty acre tract have proved and are proving most attractive to home buyers. Mr. Tapscott has recently organized the East Bay Land Company, of which he is Vol. II :
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president and in which he owns one hundred and seventy acres. As above stated, he owns and controls more subdivided property than any other individual in either Alameda or Contra Costa counties. In Contra Costa county alone he owns five thousand lots in the imme- diate vicinity of Richmond and the Pullman car shops, all of them having a frontage on San Pablo avenue. In fact all the western frontage of San Pablo avenue extending for a distance of three miles from Berkeley county line to Stege Junction, and extending back to the foothills, is owned by him. This property is superbly beautiful and is so situated that realty experts declare it cannot but increase in value to a remarkable extent. His latest acquisition is called Richmond Junction. He has two hundred acres of fine land with control of five hundred more acres. The property lies along San Pablo avenue, beginning at the junction of Cutting boulevard and extending past Macdonald avenue. The property occupies a most favorable position. It overlooks Richmond, Stege and the Golden Gate and is considered one of the most valuable pieces of realty in the vicinity of Richmond. Contract has been let for the grading, macad- amizing and street work, and on April Ist two thousand five hundred lots were placed on the market, over one million dollars worth of property being sold in the first few months. Following the sale of these two thousand five hundred lots, the rest of the acreage will be subdivided and placed on the market. The Key Route goes through Richmond Junction and the Santa Fe has a station there. It is the converging point of three main arteries of travel. The Pullman shops are located just in front of the property, and it is one of the most picturesque spots in this section of the state and yet has the advantage of a commercial center.
An issue of the Home Industry Edition contains the following: "In all his dealings Mr. Tapscott has earned the highest praise and commendation for his fair methods of dealing with the working classes, and the prices and terms arranged for at time of sale have always been so fair and reasonable that even the most modest wage carner could meet them without any embarrassment whatever. In addition to the fair-dealing methods of Mr. Tapscott he also enjoys the reputation of being one of the best posted men on realty values in the state, a fact borne out by the volume of business done. The headquarters of the Tapscott interests are at 215 to 220 First National Bank building and suitable branch offices are maintained on the different properties in charge of able and courteous salesmen."
In San Francisco, Mr. Tapscott wedded Miss Lena A. Mendle- son. He is independent in politics and is a popular member of the
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Athenian Club. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed through all the chairs. In matters of citizenship he manifests a progressive and public- spirited interest, yet he devotes the greater part of his attention to his business, which is constantly growing in volume and importance.
ABE P. LEACH.
Abe P. Leach, who since September 13, 1909, has creditably filled the position of attorney for the public administrator in Oakland, was born in Vallejo, California, July 27, 1873, a son of Frank A. and Mary L. (Powell) Leach. He acquired his early education in the Oakland grammar and high schools and afterward studied law in the University of California, receiving the degree of LL. B. in May, 1895. He was admitted to practice before the supreme court of the state May 21st of that year and began the practice of his pro- fession in Oakland, where he has since continued. In 1898 he was appointed prosecuting attorney of the city, serving with credit and ability until 1907. Two years later he was appointed attorney for the public administrator, and he has held this responsible position from 1909 until the present time. He possesses an exact and compre- hensive knowledge of the law and a personality which makes his efforts doubly effective before the court.
On the 6th of February, 1901, Mr. Leach was united in mar- riage to Miss Freda Curdts and they have become the parents of a son, Abe P., Jr., aged ten. Mr. Leach gives his political allegiance to the republican party, is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the Nile Club. He is well known in professional, official and social circles and holds the esteem and confidence of all who are connected with him.
CHARLES F. MAU.
Charles F. Mau, a veteran of the Franco-Prussian war and since 1873 one of the leading architects of Oakland, where his superior ability has gained him wide prominence in his profession, was born in Germany in 1848. He learned his profession in the schools and colleges of his native country and after completing his education
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entered the German army in 1868. He served in the Franco-Prus- sian war, taking part in the battle of Sedan and the siege of Paris.
In 1871 he emigrated to America and settled first in Nevada, where he engaged in mining and where he still owns valuable min- ing interests. Mr. Mau afterward engaged in architectural work in Chicago, Illinois, and in 1873 came to Oakland, opening an office at the corner of Eighth street and Broadway. He designed and erected many office buildings in the early days and a number of these are still standing and in use. In 1875 he built Germania Hall and followed this by the Old People's Home in Fruitvale. He was the architect of the Abrahamson, Cliff and Reliance buildings, built the Acme Athletic Club and the Masonic Temple in Alameda, as well as many of the historic old residences of the early days. His later structures include the Pabst Cafe building, the Ghirardelli home and many other modern residences. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and in the course of forty years' connection with the architectural interests in Oakland has risen steadily in his profession until he is today one of its leading repre- sentatives in this part of the state.
Mr. Mau married Miss Louisa Schumer, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom, Alfred and Gladys, have passed away, and two of whom, Louis and Carl, survive. Mr. Mau is a member of the Royal Arch Masons and prominent in the affairs of that organization. He has lived in Oakland since 1873 and has borne an active part in the work of city development since that time, many of its most important business and residence structures being the product of his professional skill. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, being known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the de- served confidence of his fellow citizens.
WILLIAM DELACOUR.
William Delacour is well known in Oakland, where he has been successfully engaged in business since April, 1906, manufacturing a general line of art glass. His birth occurred in Youghal, in the south of Ireland, on the 14th of November, 1883, his parents being Timothy and Katharine Delacour. He attended the public schools until fourteen years of age, when he began service as an apprentice with a stained-glass firm, with whom he remained until he had
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attained his majority. When twenty-one years of age he made his way to San Francisco, California, and was there engaged as stained- glass designer with the Sierra Glass Company until April, 1906. At that time he came to Oakland and embarked in business on his own account in association with Mr. Trobock, the firm of Trobock & Delacour continuing until 1909, when our subject purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the enterprise alone. He manufactures a general line of art glass and has built up a business of extensive and profitable proportions.
In Oakland Mr. Delacour was united in marriage to Miss Marie C. Perkins, by whom he has one child, Norbert. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Attracted by the opportunities of the new world and especially those of the "golden west," he here started upon his business career and has already won an enviable reputation as one of the prosperous, enterprising and respected citi- zens of Oakland.
JAMES W. McMANNIS.
James W. McMannis, treasurer of the Sibbett Manufacturing Company, one of the important progressive industries of Oakland, was born in Washington county, Kentucky, November 30, 1857, and is a son of James and Angeline McMannis. He attended public school to the age of sixteen years and then turned his attention to farming, which he followed until 1878, when he engaged with the Queen & Crescent Railway Company, having charge of the main- tenance of way department, until 1892. He next became connected with the Southern Pacific Railway Company in the same capacity and was stationed at Sacramento, Lodi and later at Oakland. He continued in that position until 1904, when he resigned and organized the Sibbett Manufacturing Company, for the purpose of manufac- turing a general line of working garments. He was elected treas- urer of the company and his since guided its financial destiny. They employ forty people, and the enterprise has been very successful since its inception, the business steadily growing until the annual sales now reach a large figure.
On the 17th of May, 1883, Mr. McMannis was married in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, to Miss Ella N. Williams, and they have become the parents of four children ; James W., twenty-eight years of age, who is now a locomotive engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad; Ray-
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mond, twenty-six years of age, a marine engineer on the steamship Paraso; Monica, a nurse at the receiving hospital ; and Verano, nine- teen years of age, a graduate of the high school and now a student of Heald's Business College. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, and the political belief of Mr. McMan- nis is that of the democratic party. Since starting out in life on his own account he has worked his way steadily upward by persistent effort, close application and unfaltering energy, and whatever suc- cess he has achieved is the direct reward of his labors.
E. N. WALTER.
Among the younger men prominent in the financial life of Oak- land is E. N. Walter, vice president of the First National Bank. Born in Virginia City, Nevada, January 24, 1870, he is a man of the west and typical of the western spirit that, never daunted, success- fully overcomes all obstacles or adverse conditions. His father was William A. Walter, a California pioneer, who came to this state in 1852, locating in Oakland in the early '70s. He took an active part in public affairs, serving for two terms on the city council and for one term as president thereof. For many years and up to the time of his death he was connected with the Wells-Fargo Express Com- pany in Oakland in an important position.
E. N. Walter, after attending public school in Oakland, entered the employ of the Wells-Fargo Express Company, but in 1887 changed positions, beginning his banking career with the First National Bank of Oakland. He has ever since been connected with this important institution, having watched its phenomenal growth and grown with its progress. He worked his way through various departments and, his ability being recognized, was called upon to fill more and more responsible positions until on January 1, 1912, he was elected vice president of the institution. He has ever since given his whole energy toward the building up of the bank and to him must be attributed a large measure of the enormous business which is now passing through its hands. Thoroughly well informed upon the financial situation, he manages the affairs under his direction ably and has become recognized as an authority on banking. his reputa- tion far exceeding the confines of his city.
In 1912 Mr. Walter was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Lewis. Mr. Walter has always been an ardent lover of sports and has taken
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an active part in athletics, finding therein an even balance to his strenuous and confining duties. He was one of the founders and commodore of the California Yacht Club and in 1904, when the Oakland Baseball Club was put on a business basis, he was made secretary and was president thereof from 1906 until 1913. He was the first secretary and the second president of the organization. It was through his efforts that the club, which won the championship of the Pacific Coast League in 1912, was placed on a secure financial basis. The Oakland Club of 1913 was practically the same as the 1912 team. Mr. Walter is also well known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and a promi- nent Mason, having been treasurer of the local lodge for fifteen years and having attained the Royal Arch degree. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the city, and his sup- port can ever be enlisted in any worthy cause.
HENRY D. CUSHING.
Henry D. Cushing, a well known and prosperous merchant of Oakland, has since 1909 served as president of the firm of H. D. Cushing & Company, conducting a general retail grocery establish- ment. His birth occurred in Shasta county, California, on the 18th of September, 1865, his parents being John and Annette Cushing. In the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools of Oakland until eighteen years of age and then became a clerk in his father's grocery store, subsequently securing an interest in the business, which was conducted under the name of John Cushing & Son. In 1897 he took full control of the business, changing the style of the concern to H. D. Cushing. He has been at the head of this retail grocery establishment throughout the intervening sixteen years and has enjoyed an extensive trade, carrying a large and well selected line of staple and fancy groceries and doing everything possible to please his patrons. He was one of the organizers of the Alameda County Retail Merchants' Association and acts as treasurer thereof. Mr. Cushing was likewise one of the organizers of the Merchants' Exchange and for thirteen years served as a director and also in the capacity of treasurer.
In Oakland, on the 11th of July, 1900, Mr. Cushing was united in marriage to Miss Edna A. Cook, by whom he has three children,
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Phillip H., Charles and Barbara, who are eleven, eight and five years of age, respectively.
Mr. Cushing gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a Unitarian in religious faith, while fraternally he is identified with the Native Sons, belonging to Oakland Parlor, No. 50. He is likewise a member of the Nile and Commercial Clubs and was one of the organizers and a director of the Chamber of Commerce. His fellow townsmen recognize his merit and ability and his business colleagues and contemporaries entertain the warmest admiration for his many good qualities.
ABRAHAM JONAS.
This history presents the record of no other citizen more thor- oughly imbued with the spirit of public progress than Abraham Jonas. He has ever been a man of fair judgment, broadminded and sagacious, and in working for the public welfare he has looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities and opportu- nities of the future. Oakland numbers him among its representative, useful and worthy citizens, to whose initiative spirit the city owes the establishment of one of its best known men's clothing and furnishing stores, the development of which has resulted directly from his reso- lute energy and unremitting industry, whereby the establishment has advanced from an humble beginning to its present large propor- tions. For almost thirty-five years he remained active in its man- agement and only recently retired from its presidency and from active mercantile life, having won rest and leisure, which he now enjoys and which enables him to direct his energies into fields of pub- lic activity relative to the further growth and development of Oak- land. He finds broad scope for his labors in his present position as president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Jonas was born in Germany in 1855 and supplemented his public-school education by a commercial course, after which he sailed for America in 1875, with Oakland as his destination. He accepted a minor position in a clothing house, but his energy and ambition his dominant qualities-brought him to the front and after two years' residence here he founded what is now the Hub Clothing Company, beginning business in a little store on Broadway, between Sixth and Seventh streets. The enterprise was established in a modest way, but during the thirty-six years of its existence its
ABRAHAM JONAS
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growth has been of a steady and healthful character. The business was in due time incorporated and at different periods when he felt that his trade would warrant Mr. Jonas removed to larger quarters, ultimately occupying one of the finest and most modern business structures of the city at 1103 Broadway. As his sons Milton and Irving reached an age whereby they were qualified to take up onerous business duties and responsibilities they were admitted to partnership and the business was incorporated with Mr. Jonas as president, his elder son, Irving, as secretary and manager, and the younger son as vice president and assistant manager. These positions they still hold, although they have entire charge of the business, their father having recently retired from active participation therein. The store was established on sound, conservative business principles, to which close adherence has been maintained throughout the intervening years, and the result of this policy is seen today in the company's prosperity.
Mr. Jonas is one of the leading figures in the affairs of the Oak- land Chamber of Commerce, in which he has served for several years as a member of the board of directors and as chairman of its finance committee. In the latter position he gave demonstration of his ability by placing the affairs of the chamber on a firm financial and business basis. His fellow members, recognizing his valuable services, elected him president, which position he now occupies. At the time of his induction into office a local paper spoke of him as follows :
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