USA > California > Alameda County > The centennial year book of Alameda County, California : containing a summary of the discovery and settlement of California, a description of the Contra Costa under Spanish, Mexican, and American rule, biographical sketches of prominent pioneers and public men > Part 48
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6,361 26,000
9,300 38,000
Assessed Value of Real Estate
25,668,004
805,660
5,710,839
3,2444,169
4,660,665
Total Value of Property.
36,389,961
1,162,891 7,225,145
29,902,636
17,870,529
18,038,400
The number of votes accredited to Alameda is that on record at the Presidential election. Contra Costa's vote is approximated. She cast 2,000 votes at the Presidential election. Her population is the estimate of the Surveyor-General, as are also the votes and popu- lations of Santa Clara, San Joaquin and Sacramento ; and the pro- perty values are all official. Alameda's vote, in comparison with her population, is the smallest of any county, showing that she has more unnaturalized citizens, women, children and Chinamen in proportion to population. Alameda's population is estimated on her vote at the Presidential election, which was 8,308; 1,192 less than the num- ber registered.
ESTIMATES OF POPULATION.
The population of the leading cities and towns of California, by estimates based upon the number of votes cast at the presidential election and by the number of school-children, respectively, is as fol- lows :
By children. 263,004
By votes.
Oakland,
32,706
30,570
Sacramento,
22,320
26,550
San José,
16,795
18,702
Stockton,
10,381
10,656
The process is, in the one instance, to multiply the number of children under eighteen years, exclusive of Chinese, by 3.4, and adding ten per cent. for the Chinese population ; and in the other, by multiplying the number of voters at a presidential election by six.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
The author has attempted to make a complete statistical table from the reports of the County Assessors and Surveyors, as published by the Surveyor-General, in order to denote our agricultural and
11,820,786
2,805,574
5,255,555 8,122,180
Assessed Val. of Improvem'ts. Assessed Val. Personal Prop'ty
7,092,975
3,628,982
San Francisco,
249,876
524
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
industrial progress, and the increase of our products and animals ; but from the loose or indifferent manner such statistics have been collected and compiled, they are next to worthless, and call for reform in the statistical department of our State Government.
As a sample, there is represented to have been under cultivation, in 1854, 61,000 acres of land; in 1858, 56,000 acres; in 1860, 75,000 ; in 1870, 117,763 ; in 1874, 91,062 ; and in 1875, exclusive of Oakland Township, which was not reported at all, 97,418. This, however, is far from being the worst sample. Manufactures, animals and products are made to appear and disappear, increase and dimin- ish, as if by magic. But the worst of all is, the acreage of our county is made to shrink and expand with a dash of the pen ; thus, in 1870, the acreage of the county was stated to be 301,415 ; and in 1875, 424,881. The areas of townships, as given in this work, were taken from the report for 1870, before the author was aware of any such inconsistencies. The people would do well to consider if some other qualifications are not necessary in our officers, besides mere political partisanship.
THE COURTS.
The Third District Court (Judge McKee), embracing Alameda County and a district of San Francisco, sits in Oakland on the third Monday of February, June and October.
The County Court (Judge Nye) sits on the third Monday of Feb- ruary, June and October.
The Probate Court (Judge Nye) also sits at the same time.
The time fixed by the Code for the regular meeting of the County Supervisors is the first Monday of February, May, August and No- vember, but they adjourn from time to time, as occasion requires, meeting generally about once a fortnight, on Monday mornings.
INCREASE OF POPULATION IN ALAMEDA.
Although the census of 1850 gave Contra Costa, which included Alameda, with the exception of Washington Township, only a pop- ulation of 722, the population of the territory now comprising Ala- meda County must at least have been equal to that, as it included the Mission ; and in the absence of any certain data, it is placed at the same. The following figures indicate how Alameda has gained in population :
The estimated population, in 1850, was 722; in 1852, 2,745; of 1856, only the vote and number of school children is attainable ; the former was 1,665, and the latter 847 ; in 1860 the population, accord-
525
STATISTICAL.
ing to the U. S. census, was 8,926 ; and in 1870, 24,237 ; in 1874, as estimated by the Surveyor-General, 36,500 ; in 1876, as indicated by the vote at the Presidential election, 49,848.
HOLD-OVER SENATOR.
Fifteenth Senatorial District-James Beazell. Term expires Decem- ber, 1879.
BOARD OF COUNTY SUPERVISORS.
Elected for three years. Three retiring in 1876; two in 1877, and two in 1878.
First District-Murray Township-V. Alviso ; appointed in 1875 to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Jas. Beazell. Term ex- pires December, 1877.
Second District-Washington-H. Overacker. Term expires De- cember, 1878.
Third District-Eden-J. B. Marlin. Term expires December, 1879. Fourth District-Alameda and Brooklyn-W. C. Mason. Term ex- pires December, 1879.
Fifth District-Oakland-Peter Pomyea. Term expires December, 1878.
Sixth District-Oakland-O. H. Burnham. Term expires Decem- ber, 1877.
Seventh District-First Ward, Oakland, and all outside corporation limits in township-J. A. Chase. Term expires in December, 1879.
The new Board take their seats on the first Monday in December; meet on Monday mornings about once a fortnight, and, at least, once a month. Members retired in 1876, Messrs. Case, Shattuck and Marlin ; the latter re-elected.
STATEMENT OF THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, ON THE 6TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1876.
Funded debt,
$246,944.00
Floating debt, -
Rate of interest, per cent.
119,827.00 7
Description and value of property owned by the County : Court-house and fixtures, $215,000.00
County Jail and fixtures, - 60,000.00
County Infirmary lands, 6,000.00
County Infirmary building, 10,000.00
Court-house block, 50,000.00
Franklin Plaza, 50,000.00
526
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Total value of property owned by the County, - 391,000.00 Cash in hands of County Treasurer, - 46,287.32 - -
Value of real estate in the county, - $25,668,904.00
Value of improvements, 7,092,075.00
Total value of real estate,
32,760,979.00
Value of personal property,
Value of money, -
$3,578,106.00 50,876.00
-
Total value of personal property, - 3,628,982.00
Total value of all property, $36,389,961.00
Rate of taxation-$1.56 on - 66 66 -$1.31 on 21,008,537.00
$15,381,425.00
Amount of taxes, -
520,511.07
The interest on $200,000 of funded debt is 8 per cent .; on balance, 10 per cent.
The floating debt consists of outstanding warrants on Treasurer, and will nearly all be paid in February, 1877.
The County tax is 573 cents on each $100, and the State tax 732 cents. The State tax amounts to $267,466.21, and the County tax to $209.242.27 ; there is also a road tax of 25 cents. Last year the tax rate was $1.05 ; the increase of 26 cents per $100 is half on the State tax and half on the County tax.
527
BIOGRAPHY.
W. C. BUTLER, Designers Engraber on OUlook
535_Clay St-, below Montgomery, SAN FRANCISCO.
PETER BAKER,
DEALER IN
family Groceries, ines and liquors,
823 BROADWAY,1
Between Fifth and Sixth Streets,
OAKLAND.
Goods Delivered at Customers' Residences.
528
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
PACIFIC COAST STEAMSHIP CO.
GOODALL, PERKINS & CO., Agents.
SAN FRANCISCO TICKET OFFICE, 214 MONTGOMERY ST., BETWEEN PINE AND BUSH.
D. B. JACKSON, Ticket Agent.
Steamers ORIZABA, CONSTANTINE, LOS ANGELES, ANCON, SENATOR.
Ports SAN PEDRO, SANTA MONICA, SAN BUENAVEN- TURA, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CAYUCOS, SAN SIMEON, MONTEREY, SANTA CRUZ.
Through Tickets sold to all parts of Arizona, either by way of
SAN DIEGO OR LOS ANGELES CHEAPER THAN BY ANY OTHER ROUTE.
Freight Office, No. 10 MARKET ST., Up-Stairs.
HARRISON
REV. HENRY DURANT, LL.D.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
REV. HENRY DURANT, LL. D.
Without doubt, the foremost man of our new commonwealth was the late Henry Durant. His name was as familiar in Oakland mouths as a " household word." His presence in our midst was a security, and his word a law. Endowed with a noble heart and a cultured mind, his influence was everywhere felt ; with lofty aims, unselfish motives and self-sacrificing principles, he formed a rare fig- ure on the virgin soil of a young California city.
Henry Durant was a native of Acton, Middlesex County, New Hampshire, and was born on the 18th day of June, 1802. Like many other men of mark he was nurtured on a farm; in the pure atmosphere of the country he received his instincts and imbibed his first principles. His organization was delicate and his feelings sensi- tive. At the age of twelve he lost his father, but he found friends who provided him the means of education. He studied first at Phil- lips' Academy, at Andover ; entered Yale in 1823, and graduated in 1827. Dr. Horace Bushnell was a class-mate, and the late N. P. Willis his room-mate and friend. He studied theology, and became a Congregational clergyman. For sixteen years he was the pastor of a church, the only one he ever served. A domestic affliction-the loss of an only daughter-affected him much. He was induced to turn his thoughts Californiawards ; and, with grand educational ideas in his head, he landed here in May, 1853. Although he had a plan, he was without a place, and circumstances were to dictate where and how he was to begin his career of labor and usefulness. After a con- ference of friends, of the Congregational denomination, held at Nevada City, with reference to the location of the College, Oakland was selected. With this, the Rev. S. B. Bell, pastor of the First Pres- byterian Church here, had much to do.
Dr. Durant at this time was more than fifty years of age, full in
530
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
experience and ripe in thought-yet vigorous and enthusiastic for the work before him. What had he to begin with ? Nothing but faith and hope. He opened his "College School" one month after his arrival, in the early part of June, beginning with three pupils. For his purpose he rented a building known as the Pavilion ; and, in order to give an idea of his early trials and tribulations, the following anec- dote, as related by himself and communicated to the Overland Monthly for March, 1875, by President Gilman, will, while it throws some light on his and our early condition, be sufficiently amusing to enter- tain :
"I began," he said, " with three pupils, in a building which I hired for $150 a month, to be paid in gold coin monthly, in advance, and to be in charge of a man and wife, whose wages were to be another $150 a month, to be paid in the same way-which made $300 a month for three pupils. The school increased a little during the first two months and a half ; but the income was not sufficient to meet current expenses, and "my housekeepers-Quinn was the man's name -he and his wife not having received their entire pay for that term, began to be alarmed. He said whatever did not succeed in two months and a half in California never would succeed. He could not trust me any longer. One morning I went up stairs, as usual, to my school ; it got to be time for luncheon, and I went down stairs and found nothing prepared. Quinn had squatted on the lower part of the house, and put out his shingle: ' Lodgers and boarders wanted here. Drinks for sale at the bar.'"
This behavior, however, did not destroy the embryo college, the germ of the future University of California ; and although Mr. Quinn, in a hasty moment, laid hands on the pioneer Professor, to eject him, he as quickly repented, remained for a long time in his service, and his son received a liberal education in the college.
At the time Mr. Durant selected the four blocks, on Twelfth street, for the site of the College of California, the squatter troubles were at their height in Oakland. The " jumpers" had assembled one day, at the end of Broadway, in large numbers, and were about to take possession of all the unoccupied ground in Oakland, when he addressed them, making known his intention of occupying the land for the purpose of establishing a college; and three cheers were given for the coming college. A committee was immediately appointed to take charge of those blocks and secure them for the purpose indicated.
531
BIOGRAPHICAL.
While the building was being put up, the fund became exhausted, and there was danger of its loss through a mechanics' lien. Mr. Durant consulted a lawyer, and, with his advice, moved a table, chairs, etc., into one of the rooms up stairs, and went to bed. The contractor appeared in the morning to take possession, as he had expected, and was somewhat disconcerted at finding the Doctor in possession. He went off, but soon returned, accompanied by two burly companions. They presumed to take possession. The Doctor told them that by so doing they would not only commit a trespass upon his property, but do violence to his body, as he did not intend to leave that room in a sound condition. "That seemed to stagger them, and finally they left me in possession," said the Doctor.
A charter was granted to the college, in 1854, by the Legislature. There became associated with Mr. Durant, at first, Rev. S. B. Bell, subsequently one of our representatives in the State Legislature ; Revs. E. B. Wallsworth, T. Dwight Hunt, S. B. Willey, and, at an after period, the late Rev. I. H. Brayton and Professor Martin Kel- logg. Mr. Durant, in the school reorganized as the College of Cali- fornia, filled the position of Professor of Greek and of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, and became the virtual head or President of the institution.
The college grew in the number of its pupils, professors and build- ings. It became necessary to establish a preparatory department, separate from the college proper. Mr. Brayton took charge of the new department, as Principal. The classes were yet comparatively small, but it was a proud day for Mr. Durant and his associates when, in 1864, the first four graduates issued from the school, the first fruits of their laborious enterprise.
The site of the University at Berkeley was selected by Dr. Durant with a view to an enlarged sphere and more extended advan- tages in the future. It was chosen with deliberation and judgment, every feature of it having undergone a scientific and sanitary test of fitness.
Through the influence and exertions of Dr. Durant, the Berkeley pro- perty was deeded to the State for the establishment of an Agricultural College, the old college disincorporated and made a part of the new State institution. When the University was established, in 1869, the college buildings were used for its accommodation ; but a presi- dent was sought outside of the State, and the claims and qualifica- tions of Dr. Durant were almost ignored by a Board of Regents,
532
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
who were slow to appreciate the merits of a man, who, of all men, was the one they wanted. Dr. Durant held the position for two years. He saw the institution located on the site of his deliberate choice ; stately buildings erected thereon ; a faculty of superior capacity installed ; that State institution, which had risen from his "small beginning" of three boys down in the old Pavilion, on the northeast corner of Fifth street and Broadway, and long since burnt down, splendidly endowed and a credit to the young State of Califor- nia. His dream had been realized, his honorable ambition gratified, and the measure of his usefulness filled. Then he resigned his posi- tion. He had reached the allotted period of existence, three score and ten, and although still possessed of vigor, he thought it better to make way for a younger man and spend the remainder of his years free of care and professional anxiety. At his own request a successor was appointed to his place.
But the good people of Oakland would not permit him to rest, and at the first opportunity complimented him by electing him as their municipal chief, and placing upon his head the mural crown. This was in March, 1873. In 1874 he was re-elected and "died in harness," his demise having taken place on the 22d day of January, 1875.
Thus passed away one who had walked in the paths of peace, and whose highest ambition was to be useful. He loved his country and served his kind. Never was there a more unselfish man. He was simple in his habits, plain in his manner, gentlemanly in his de- meanor, and unobstrusive in his conduct. He had a heart of sym- pathy for the suffering, a word of encouragement for the weak, and an open hand for the needy. To cherish his memory, perpetuate his principles, and hold him up as an exemplar of all that was useful, honorable and unselfish, this short and insufficient sketch has been written. It being one of the objects of this work to inculcate a local pride in the rising generation of Alameda County, and attach them to its soil and associations, it is believed no better means could be taken than to present to them this short and unfinished sketch of the career of its foremost figure and most admirable character. As such, it is humbly dedicated to their edification. Mr. Durant left behind him a most attached and affectionate wife, who ceases not to mourn his death and cherish his memory, with all a woman's intense devotion for the one she has loved and lost. He left no family.
533
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN LECONTE, M.D.,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
The subject of this sketch is descended on his father's side from a French Huguenot family, who, near the close of the seventeenth cen- tury, emigrated from Rouen to New Rochelle, in New York. Through his mother he descends from the New England Puritans who planted (in 1695) the Dorchester colony in South Carolina, a portion of whom subsequently (in 1752) established the Midway set- tlement in Liberty County, Georgia. His grandfather purchased land and established himself in that locality prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution. His father, Lewis LeConte, was gradu- ated from Columbia College, in the City of New York, in 1799, and soon after removed to Georgia, and took charge of the above-men- tioned estate. There he had the opportunity of cultivating his taste for nearly all branches of natural science, including botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, etc.
John LeConte, the second son of Lewis, was born in Liberty County, Georgia, on the 4th of December, 1818. After receiving his preparatory classical education at a private school, under the tui- tion of the Hon. A. H. Stephens, he entered, in January, 1835, " Franklin College" (University of Georgia), and was graduated with high honors in August, 1838. He immediately commenced the study of medicine, and, in 1851, received the degree of M. D. from the "College of Physicians and Surgeons " in the City of New York. He married the same year, and, in 1842, established himself as a practitioner of medicine in Savannah, Georgia. In August, 1846, he was elected to the chair of " Natural Philosophy and Chem- istry" in "Franklin College," his Alma Mater; this position he resigned in 1855 to become " Lecturer on Chemistry" in the " Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons," in the City of New York. In the Spring of 1856, at the conclusion of his course of lectures in New York, he accepted a call to the "South Carolina College," at Colum- bia, where he had been unanimously elected to fill the chair, then first created, of "Natural and Mechanical Philosophy ;" this office he held until 1866, when the " South Carolina College " was reorganized and transformed into the "University of South Carolina." Under the new organization he was unanimously elected to the chair of " Natural and Mechanical Philosophy, and Astronomy." This position he held until his removal to California. In November,
534
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
1868, he was elected to fill the chair of "Physics and Industrial Mechanics " in the "University of California," then in the incipiency of its organization. Being the first officer elected by the Board of Regents, he was summoned to California early in 1869, to assist in the organization of the new University. He arrived with his family about the first of April, 1869. In June, 1869, he was appointed Acting President of the University, drew up its first Prospectus, including a Synopsis of the Course of Instruction ; and in September, 1869, initiated the exercises of the University at Oak- land, with about forty students. He continued to act as President until the election of President Durant, in August, 1870. After the resignation of President Gilman, in March, 1875, he was again ap- pointed Acting President, and on the Ist of June, 1876, he was elected full President.
His early contributions to science, from 1842 to 1846, were in the medical department ; since 1846 they have chiefly related to the physical sciences. Among his more important papers, relating to medical topics, may be noted: "On Mechanism of Vomiting" (1842); " Extraordinary Effects of a Stroke of Lightning" (1844); " Experi- ments Illustrating the Seat of Volition in the Alligator, with Stric- tures on the Reflex Theory " (1845); "Observations on Geophagy " (1845); "Statistical Researches on Cancer " (1846); " The Philosophy of Medicine," an address (1849).
Among his principal contributions to physical science may be enu- merated : (1) "Observations on the Exudation of Ice from the Stems of Vegetables, and the Protrusion of Icy Columns from earth " (1850) ; (2) "Observations on the Freezing of Vegetables, and the Causes which enable Plants to endure the Action of Extreme Cold " (1851) ; (3) "Influences of the Study of the Physical Sciences on the Imaginative Faculties "-an address (1857) ; (4) " Researches on the alleged Influence of Solar Light on the Process of Combustion " (1857); (5) "On the Influence of Musical Sounds on the Flame of a Jet of Coal Gas " (1858) ; (6) "On the Optical Phenomena presented by the 'Silver Spring' in Marion County, Florida " (1860); (7) "On the Adequacy of Laplace's Explanation to Account for the Discrep- ancy between the Computed and the Observed Velocity of Sound in Air and Gasses " (1864); (8) " Lightning Velocity of Meteoric Stones reaching the surface of the Earth" (1871); "Vital Statistics. Illustrated by the Laws of Mortality from Cancer" (1872) ; (1)) " Heat Generated by Meteoric Stones in traversing the Atmosphere"
535
BIOGRAPHICAL.
(1872) ; (11) "The Nebular Hypothesis " - a lecture - (1873). He likewise contributed articles on " Physical Geography," on the " Mechanical Agencies of Heat," on the " Physics of Meteorology," on the "Stellar Universe," etc., which, being more of the nature of reviews than of original contributions to scientific knowledge, need not be specially noticed. He is a member of the " American Philo- sophical Society," of Philadelphia ; a corresponding member of the " Academy of Natural Sciences," of Philadelphia, and also of the " New York Academy of Sciences."
HON. SAMUEL BELL McKEE.
The distinguished gentleman whose name heads this sketch needs no laudation, and it is not the purpose of the writer to pen one. No man is better known to the people of Alameda County. He came here in the early and doubtful days of our history, and brought with him his manly energy, ripe experience and scholarly attainments. He is thoroughly identified with the rise, progress and prosperity of our people.
Judge McKee is a native of the land of poets, orators and states- men-of Moore, Sheridan and Burke-the ever-green Isle of the Ocean-and is now about fifty-five years of age. While yet a child, his family removed to the State of Georgia, where he received his education. From Georgia he went to Alabama, where he read law with Judge Collier, of Tuscaloosa ; thence he went to Mississippi, showing that in his youthful days he was of a roving disposition. There, however, he married, and practiced law with much success. Matrimony, however, did not attach him to his Mississippi home. The California fever brought him to this State in 1853, and he set- tled in Oakland, which attached him at once, and here he has since remained, the pride of the bar and the ornament of the bench. Oak- land was but a poor, unpromising place when he set foot in it and hung out his shingle. The prospect of a lucrative practice was not great, nor the expectation of realizing a rapid and easily-made for- tune his inducement to remain. But he evidently was determined to continue here, for he has done so. His professional card, copied from the advertising columns of the first local paper of Alameda County, published in 1854, made the following announcement :
" Sam. Bell McKee, Attorney-at-Law and General Collecting Agent, Oakland, Cal., will give prompt attention to all business en- trusted to his care in the Courts of Alameda County and the Coun-
536
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
ties adjoining. Office on the east side of Broadway, near the Plaza.'
It was soon ascertained that the people of Alameda County had better use for the services of such a superior professional gentleman as he readily proved himself to be, than as a collector of accounts and two years after he was elected to the position of County Judge, by a majority of 850 votes, which certainly was an overwhelming indication of the popular confidence in his ability, judgment and in- tegrity. Two years subsequent to this promotion he was nominated by the Democratic party for the high position of District Judge. The Third District then consisted of the counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Alameda. His competitors in the party con- vention were men of sterling worth and distinguished ability. They were Lawrence Archer and William T. Wallace, of San Jose. McKee received the nomination on the second ballot. The election took place on the first day of September, 1858. His opponent at the ballot-box was Judge Hester, then the incumbent of the office, and who was beaten badly.
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