USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume II > Part 9
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In 1905 Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Kerr, a daughter of Andrew and Eudora Kerr of Fairfield, California. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have one child, Willsie, who is seven years of age. Mr. Wood is an enthusiastic fisherman and, in fact, is devoted to all kinds of outdoor sports, being particularly interested in moun- tain climbing, to which he gives a great deal of his leisure time. He has tramped for pleasure over the Sierra Nevadas and the Canadian Rockies and can relate many interesting incidents of his travels. Fraternally he is past exalted ruler of Alameda Lodge, No. 1015, B. P. (). E., and he is identified with Oak Grove Lodge, F. & A. M., and the National Union of Alameda. He is in addition vice presi- dent of the Unitarian Club of this city. In his official capacity he did much to promote the cause of public education in this commu- nity, managing the schools of the city in a systematic and businesslike way and reaping the reward of his well directed labors in the increased efficiency of the pupils and teachers alike.
GEORGE KIRCHNER.
George Kirchner, a partner in the firm of Kirchner & Mante, representatives in Oakland of the Seattle Brewing & Malting Com- pany of Seattle, Washington, was born at Vertheim, Germany, Jan- uary 22, 1868, a son of Fritz Kirchner. He was a public school pupil to the age of fourteen years and then came to the United States
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in 1882, settling in San Francisco, where he served an apprenticeship with Lang Brothers, bottlers, with whom he remained for two years. He was afterward employed in various bottling establishments until 1888, when he entered the employ of the Buffalo Bottling Company at Oakland, with which he continued as bottler for five years. He then entered the bottling business on his own account, and soon after- ward entered into a partnership with F. Mante under the firm style of Kirchner & Mante. They represent the Seattle Brewing & Malt- ing Company of Seattle, the largest brewery on the Pacific coast, in a business which has been constantly growing and which has won them a substantial measure of success.
In Oakland in 1893 Mr. Kirchner was married to Miss Dora Lueddeke, and they have four children, Helen, Minna Dora, Fritz and George. Mr. Kirchner belongs to the Merchants' Exchange and the Chamber of Commerce, and also holds membership in the Eintracht. the Sons of Herman, the Eagles, the Oakland Turnverein and the Loyal Order of Moose. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and in their improvement has made steady advancement.
NORMAN FISK PEART.
Since 1906 Norman Fisk Peart has been successfully engaged in business at Oakland as president of the firm of Peart, Incorporated, who handle automobile tires and also conduct a repair shop. As their business has grown they have established branches in San Fran- cisco and Berkeley. His birth occurred in San Francisco, Califor- nia, on the 19th of September, 1878, his parents being Benjamin and Sophia Peart, who in 1888 established their home at Woodland, Yolo county, this state.
Norman F. Peart obtained his education in the graded and high schools of Woodland and following his graduation, in 1897, spent one year as a student in the University of California. Subsequently he returned to San Francisco, where for four years he was employed as clerk with the Overland Freight & Transportation Company. He next acted as salesroom foreman for the Mobile Carriage Company until 1906, when he resigned his position and came to Oakland, here opening an automobile tire and repairing establishment. Mr. Peart manifests excellent executive ability and sound judgment in his
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capacity as president of the firm of Peart, Incorporated, which has enjoyed continuous growth and prosperity, so that branches have been opened in San Francisco and Berkeley.
In San Francisco, on the 15th of March, 1906, Mr. Peart was united in marriage to Miss Kate Ralston, by whom he has two children, Madeline and Ruth. He is a republican in politics and belongs to the Nile and Rotary Clubs.
DAN ANDKER.
Dan Andker has been engaged in business as an undertaker of Oakland since 1909, in which year he organized the firm of Andker & Company, of which he is the president. His birth occurred in Odense, Denmark, on the 19th of April, 1865, his parents being Anders and Mortensen Andker. He attended the public schools until a youth of fourteen and afterward worked with his father, a gardener, until twenty years of age. Subsequently he spent three and a half years as a soldier in the army and on the expiration of that period emigrated to the United States, settling in San Francisco, California, where he worked in a tailor shop for three years. At the end of that time he came to Oakland and here was employed as a tailor by Joseph Poeheim for six years. Subsequently he spent two years in the service of Lancaster & Rehor, tailors, and was then engaged as a tailor with John J. Andersen until 1909. In that year he embarked in the undertaking business, organizing the firm of Andker & Company, of which he has since served as president. Suc- cess has come to him in this connection, for his is a well appointed and up-to-date establishment and the service rendered is of the very best.
Mr. Andker has been married twice. On the 21st day of Decem- ber, 1889, in San Francisco, he wedded Miss Clara Andker, whose demise occurred in August, 1906. On the 28th of December. 1909, in Sacramento, California, he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Ella Biggi. His children are three in number, namely: Exe, twenty-one years of age; Carla, who is fourteen years old and a public-school student; and Norman Dan, who is two years of age. The last named was born of his second marriage.
In his political views Mr. Andker is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is a member of all the Danish societies and likewise belongs to the Masonic order,
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the Fraternal Brotherhood, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and the Improved Order of Red Men. Coming to the new world in early manhood, he here found the opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won a place among the substantial and representative citizens of his community.
FRANK R. CRAWFORD.
Frank R. Crawford is the superintendent of the Oakland Crema- tion Association, which was incorporated on the 28th of June, 1901. His birth occurred in Sonoma county, California, on the 4th of Jan- uary, 1860, his parents being T. B. and Sarah Crawford. The father, who was born in Scotland on the 21st of May, 1830, acquired his edu- cation in that country and in 1849 emigrated to the United States, settling in Tuolumne county, California, where he was engaged in mining until 1863. In that year he removed to Calaveras county and was there identified with copper mining as superintendent of a mine until 1869, when he went to Stockton, San Joaquin county, and embarked in the steamboat business, his craft plying between Stockton and San Francisco. In 1900 he put aside active business cares and the remainder of his life was spent in honorable retire- ment. In 1884 he had taken up his abode in Oakland, here continu- ing to reside until called to his final rest in 1912. The period of his residence in Oakland covered twenty-eight years and he was widely recognized as one of its prosperous, representative and respected citizens.
Frank R. Crawford attended the public schools of Sonoma, Cali- fornia, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Stockton, this state, where he continued his education in the public schools until 1884. In that year he came to Oakland and after- ward worked as a machinist in the service of the San Francisco Tool Company of San Francisco until 1888, while subsequently he was engaged as engineer for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company until 1902. He then returned to Oakland and took charge of the construc- tion of the Oakland Crematorium, continuing as superintendent of the same. The officers for 1912-13 are as follows: George W. Reed, president; Dr. F. R. Jordan, vice president ; Horace E. Smith, secre- tary; First National Bank, treasurer; George W. Reed, Dr. F. R. Jordan, the late M. T. Emmert, F. F. Mood, the late A. E. H.
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Cramer, George R. Crane and Dr. E. T. Hosford, directors. The crematorium is fully equipped with the best and latest improved appliances for incineration, which work is performed by competent men of long experience. The columbarium is one of the finest in the world for the reception of ashes. The magnificent fireproof building is modern in every respect and contains thousands of niches for the benefit of those who desire permanent resting places for the ashes of their dead. The office of the Oakland Cremation Asso- ciation is in the Crematorium building at Howe and Mather streets. The Pacific contains a well written article setting forth the wisdom of cremating the dead and states that "in 1890 there were three hun- dred and seventy-two cremations in the United States. In 1900 the number was two thousand three hundred and eighty-nine. In 1908 it was three thousand four hundred and sixty-two. Nearly one-third of the number for 1908 was in San Francisco, the figures being one thousand one hundred and four. The number in New York that year was seven hundred and twenty-three. The number of crema- tories in operation in the United States at that time was twenty-five. The crematory in Oakland, operated by the Oakland Cremation Association, first used in June, 1902, had three hundred and twelve incinerations in 1903, nine hundred and thirty-one in 1911 and over one thousand in 1912."
On the 16th of February, 1901, Mr. Crawford was joined in wedlock to Miss May Kennedy, the ceremony taking place in Oak- land. He is a republican in politics, and his religious views accord with those of the Christian Science church. He belongs to the Ma- rine Engineers and is identified fraternally with the Royal Arch Masons. His genuine worth and his devotion to all that is right, just and elevating, make him a man whom to know is to respect and honor.
JOHN HEAFEY.
John Heafey is the junior member of the firm of Chambers & Heafey, contractors of Oakland, who are engaged in general cement construction, sewer work and water works. He came to Oakland in 1901 and has resided here continuously throughout the intervening twelve years. His birth occurred in County Waterford, Ireland, on the 3rd of June, 188t, his parents being John and Margaret Heafey. He attended the public schools until a youth of sixteen and subse-
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quently worked for his father until he had attained the age of nine- teen years. At that time he emigrated to the United States, making his way direct to Oakland, California. Here he secured employ- ment as a carpenter with his brother William, engaged in the con- tracting business, remaining in his service until 1907, when he became a partner of his brother. In January, 1911, he sold out to his brother and formed a partnership with Mr. Chambers under the name of Chambers & Heafey, which firm has built up an exten- sive and profitable business in general cement construction, sewer work and water works. The junior partner is a young man who has been well trained in his chosen field of labor and merits the success which he now enjoys.
On the 7th of February, 1911, in Sebastopol, California, Mr. Heafey was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary McSorley. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has fraternal relations with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, belonging to Berkeley Lodge. In religious faith he is a Catholic. Both he and his wife have a large circle of friends and acquaintances and are held in the highest regard by all who know them.
CHARLES G. REED.
Charles G. Reed, who from 1907 to 1909 served with credit and ability as national bank examiner for the northern district of Cali- fornia, is a member of a family which has been well represented in Oakland and vicinity ; first by the father, Captain William Reed, and his wife Hannah; and also by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the number of forty.
Mr. Reed, of this review, has spent practically his entire life in California, for he came to this state with the family when he was only twelve years of age. He was born in Vassalboro, Maine, De- cember 24, 1844, and in November, 1856, was brought to Oakland. He attended the old Carpentier school, beginning in the winter of 1856-7, and circulated a petition for the building of the second schoolhouse, the Lafayette primary, at Twelfth and Grove streets. He afterward entered the Oakland College school, taking a business course. Following the completion of his studies he obtained a posi- tion in a wholesale clothing house in San Francisco, with which he was connected for four years. At the end of that time he came to Oakland and conducted a hardware store at the northwest corner of
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Twelfth and Broadway. When he disposed of this enterprise he entered the office of the county clerk as deputy under J. V. B. Good- rich and after four years in this service was elected to the office of county clerk in 1875. He won reelection in 1877 and served two terms, after which he was made deputy under C. E. Palmer, county treasurer. At the end of four years in this office he entered the Union National Bank and was soon advanced to the position of paying teller. He was later made exchange teller and held this position until October, 1907, when he received the appointment as national bank examiner for the northern district of California. He held this position until 1909 and discharged its important duties in a pains- taking, conscientious and efficient manner.
In Oakland on the 8th of January, 1868, Mr. Reed married Miss Flora A. Moore, a daughter of Gorham H. and Mary A. (Jenkins) Moore. Mr. and Mrs. Reed became the parents of four children : Olive, the wife of S. W. Cushman of Oakland; Elmer, who is engaged in the United States marshal's office in Nome, Alaska; Aimee, the wife of Harwood D. Swales of the Firemens Fund Insur- ance Company; and Eva, who became the wife of H. D. Danforth and died June 28, 1904, at the age of twenty-nine years. There are seven grandchildren, four boys and three girls. All the children and grandchildren have exceptional musical ability and find music the source of much enjoyment.
Mr. Reed is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past grand, and he has also filled all of the chairs in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, representing his lodge in the grand lodge at various sessions and serving also as grand trustee. He is at present grand receiver. He is also affiliated with the Fraternal Brotherhood and is a member of the First Baptist church, in which he officiated as trustee for a number of years. He has always taken a keen interest in movements looking toward the benefit of general conditions and has been found ready to lend his aid for the promotion of all progressive public projects. He was a member of the old Oakland Guard, serving as private in 1862 and being later promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He was also a member of the Oakland light cavalry. From 1893 until 1897 he served on the board of education of Oakland, acting as chairman of the finance committee and the high school committee. Being a great lover of his native state he founded the State of Maine Asso- ciation of California and was its first secretary and later its president. He can truthfully say that he has never taken a drink of liquor, a record that few who have lived in California as long as he has can
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equal. He signed a pledge during the great Maine campaign in 1855 and has never broken it. During the long period of his resi- dence in this city he has attained a wide reputation as a broad-minded, liberal and public-spirited citizen, and by his strict integrity of char- acter, business ability and excellent qualities of mind has won the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
REV. JOSEPH GALLI.
Rev. Joseph Galli, pastor of St. Joseph's Portuguese church in Oakland, has been at the head of this congregation since 1909 and his labors have been an effective force in the lives of those who have come under his teachings. His birth occurred in Varese, Italy, on the 18th of April, 1877, his parents being John and Antonia Galli. He attended the gymnasium until fifteen years of age and then went to Braga, Portugal, where he continued his education in the high school for three years. He next studied theology for five years and subsequently taught in an orphanage in Braga, Portugal, until twenty-three years of age, when he went to Lisbon, Portugal, as ordain and teacher in a school of trades. At the age of twenty-four he came to Oakland, California, as assistant pastor of St. Joseph's Portuguese church and in 1909 became pastor thereof. With con- secrated zeal he has labored to advance moral interests, and his teach- ings have borne fruit in many lives. He is a member of the Y. M. I. and the Knights of Columbus, and also belongs to the Salesian Fath- ers of Venerable Don Bosco.
HOWARD A. BIGELOW.
Howard A. Bigelow, who began the practice of law at Oakland in the spring of 1910, has in the intervening period of three years built up an extensive and enviable clientage and established his reputation as an attorney of pronounced ability. He was born at Sailor Springs, Illinois, on the 14th of April, 1875, and after acquir- ing his more specifically literary education prepared for the practice of his chosen profession in the law department of Washington Uni- versity at St. Louis, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1900. Opening an office at Decatur, Illinois, he there practiced law
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for seven years with gratifying and growing success. In the spring of 1910 he came to Oakland, California. His offices are at 1020 Broadway, and in the comparatively short period of time which has since elapsed he has built up a large and lucrative practice here. He has won a reputation as a criminal lawyer of unusual ability and is well versed in that branch of the profession.
In 1897 Mr. Bigelow was united in marriage to Miss Clara Chamberlain, a native of Illinois, by whom he has two children, Beulah and Helen. The family home is a handsome residence on Fourth avenue, which Mr. Bigelow purchased. He is widely rec- ognized as one of Oakland's most enterprising and public-spirited citizens and is a public speaker of note, having stumped the state of Indiana in the interests of William Howard Taft prior to his elec- tion to the presidency. Mr. Bigelow is the attorney for the Progres- sive Development Syndicate of Oakland and his aid and cooperation are given to every movement and measure instituted to further the growth of the city. Fraternally he is identified with the Loyal Order of Moose.
CARL J. FOARD.
Carl J. Foard, prominently connected with business interests of San Francisco as founder and president of the firm of Foard & Barstow, ship chandlers, is one of Alameda's native sons, born on the 26th of November, 1878. His father, Lorens Foard, was born in Denmark and in the early '6os came to California, settling in Ala- meda county, where he remained active and prominent in local pub- lic affairs until his death, which occurred in 1905. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Julia Bertelsen, a daughter of Otto and Julia Bertelsen of Germany.
In the acquirement of an education Carl J. Foard attended public school in Alameda, and he began his business career in 1893, when he went into business for his father, engaging in ship chandlery, building up a large and profitable patronage and proving himself a reliable, resourceful and able business man. In 1906 he organized the firm of Foard & Barstow and became its president, a position which he has filled with credit and efficiency since that time. It has called for his excellent organizing and executive ability, and the credit for the rapid expansion and continued growth of the concern is in large measure due to him. He has become known as a keen
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and discriminating man, whose sagacity is far-reaching and whose integrity beyond all question, and his success is only the natural result of earnest, persistent and well directed labor.
Mr. Foard married Mrs. Anita Humphrey, a daughter of Gott- leib and Juana Zeh, the former a native of Frankfort, Germany, and the latter of Mexico. Mr. Foard is identified fraternally with the Elks, the Masonic order and the Native Sons of the Golden West. He is a member also of the Master Mariners' Association, and is well known in social, fraternal and business circles, his name stand- ing for enterprise, progress and integrity along all lines.
WILLIAM N. VAN DE MARK.
William N. Van De Mark has been a resident of California for a period covering four decades and has ably served as deputy county assessor of Alameda county for the past twenty years. He makes his home in Oakland and here established and still conducts the Dramatic Institute and School of Oratory. His birth occurred in Albany county, New York, on the 23d of October, 1843, his parents being John E. and Julia A. Van De Mark, nee Vanzandt. The Van- zandts and Stanfords lived on adjoining farms. Hon. Leland Stanford was a warm friend of the mother of Mr. Van De Mark.
In 1844 the family home was established in Rochester, New York, where our subject attended the graded and high schools until the age of fifteen years, while subsequently he spent a year as a student in St. Lawrence University of Canton, New York. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army and served as chaplain during the remainder of the period of hostilities between the north and the south, being honorably discharged by reason of resignation in 1865. During the latter part of his army service he acted as general super- intendent of colored education for the Department of the Gulf. His service in this position was highly satisfactory.
Mr. Van De Mark was then elected to the pastorate of the Uni- versalist society in Churchville, New York, for one year and was next transferred to Lockport, New York, where he preached for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, there following his calling until 1873, when he came to California and for two years served as minister of the Universalist church in San Francisco. He then resigned his pastorate and became a teacher of elocution in Oakland and San Francisco, opening the
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Dramatic Institute and School of Oratory, which he has successfully conducted to the present time. He has graduated a large number of pupils, among whom are some of the most prominent men in San Francisco and Oakland. In addition to his work in this connection Mr. Van De Mark has also done public service, acting as assistant weigher in the United States customs house from 1891 to 1894. Since the latter year he has held the position of deputy county assessor of Alameda county, proving an able and highly satisfactory incum- bent. During the past three years he has had full charge of war veterans' exemptions for Alameda county. He has traveled largely, having been twice in Europe and completed the round of the States, the West Indies and Mexico.
Mr. Van De Mark has been twice married and by his first wife has one son, Clarence R., who is forty-two years of age and is engaged in the men's furnishing business in Denver, Colorado. For his second wife he chose Miss Mary A. McDonald, whom he wedded in Oak- land on the 2d of March, 1884. They have two children: Lester W., who is twenty-eight years old and is a manager in the employ of the Taylor & Spottswood Company of San Francisco; and Lucy M., a soloist in the First Church of Christ, Scientist. The latter has a pure contralto voice and is studying for grand opera.
Politically Mr. Van De Mark has always been a stanch repub- lican, supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. He is a member of the Christian Science church and still main- tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Mr. Van De Mark has recently passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten but is still an active factor in the world's work and has long been numbered among the most highly esteemed and best known citizens of Oakland.
MAURICE M. ROACH.
Maurice M. Roach, a worthy native son and successful business man of Oakland, is half owner in the undertaking establishment formerly conducted under the name of J. H. McCarthy & Company, but since changed to Roach & Kenney. He was born on the 12th of August, 1869, a son of Michael and Hannah Roach. The father came to Oakland in 1868 and was here engaged in the tannery busi- ness until his death in 1869.
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