USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 42
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JAMES M. STOW .- Ceaseless industry, supplemented by sound judgment, has rendered possible the success gained by James M. Stow. He is a man of progressive and enterprising ideas and methods, and is one of Contra Costa County's leading and influential citizens. Mr. Stow was born in Illinois in 1847, a son of Josephus Stow, a native of Massachusetts, who was united to Susan Dodd in marriage and made a journey to Illinois. Mr. Stow's father took up Government land and was one of the leading farmers in his local- ity. During the gold rush to California Mr. Stow's father left his ranch in competent hands and joined the rush, coming overland by ox-team. He en- gaged in mining and was fairly successful, and in 1856 he sent for his wife and three children to join him. They came via the Panama route, and lived in Nevada County until 1859, when the family came to San Francisco, owing to the health of the father. His death occurred in 1860. Afterward Mrs. Stow settled in Danville, where she married John Perham, and the family removed to Walnut Creek. Her death occurred in 1884. She was born in South Caro- lina in 1818. From his twelfth year Mr. Stow was reared in Contra Costa County, and has ever since resided here, with the exception of a few years, when he removed to Pacific Grove, where he erected one of the palatial homes of that city. He served as city councilman and mayor of Pacific Grove, and resigned the office as mayor in order to return to Walnut Creek to look after his many interests there. Mr. Stow acquired his education in the public schools of Oakland. His early business training was gained in a general store in Walnut Creek, and he later clerked for Shuey Bros. In 1875 he opened a general store in Walnut Creek, where he continued in business until he was elected to the office of assessor on the Republican ticket in 1880. This office he filled to the entire satisfaction of the people of this county for a period of seven years. In 1887 he disposed of the store interests, when he engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He is, and has been, one of the county's best promoters. Mr. Stow has made an acceptable and faith- ful postmaster and competent Wells Fargo agent; has been notary public, and was one of the chief promoters and organizers of the first telephone company in this county. For a time he was the owner of the Martinez Gazette. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Martinez, the Bank of Walnut Creek, and the Bank of Pacific Grove. When a tunnel was projected through the moun- tains, making a direct outlet to Oakland from Contra Costa County, a dis- tance of 1026 feet, there were several bids from contractors to build the part belonging to this county, but the county voted to have the construction work done by the supervisors. Mr. Stow stepped in and built the necessary road, and in so doing saved the county over $17,000 over the amount of the lowest bidder. Fraternally, he is a Mason and for a number of years he served as secretary of the Walnut Creek lodge. At one time he was active in the ranks of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Stow has been a member of the Methodist church for many years, and has served as trustee of the Pa- cific Grove church. He purchased the pleasantly situated estate of Captain
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Fale near Walnut Creek some years ago. He has continually added to the improvement of this property, making it one of the comfortable and attrac- tive places near the town. All told, he owns about five thousand acres of valuable land. Mr. Stow was twice married, the first union being to Alice Glass, a daughter of Joseph Glass, one of Contra Costa's respected pioneers, on April 22, 1873, and her death occurred in July, 1912. The children of this union have been Dr. Eleanor M. Bancroft, born June 2, 1874; Hattie, born March 20, 1876 (died in 1877); Carrie, wife of R. L. Palmer, of Walnut Creek, born June 8, 1878; Garfield, engaged in the real-estate business in Oakland, born April 30, 1880; Rufus, in the employ of the Government, born August 29, 1882; Pearl, wife of Joseph Lawrence, born July 29, 1884; Orville, at pres- ent constable at Walnut Creek, born August 3, 1886; Harry, identified with the Burgess Company, born August 7, 1888; Armond, born August 17, 1890; Russell, born December 17, 1893; Forrest Chadbourne, born July 19, 1896. The second union of Mr. Stow occurred March 20, 1912. To this union was born Berring, June 25, 1914. During Mr. Stow's last term of office as super- visor he was an important factor in the building of the new courthouse at Martinez. He is a Republican and a "standpatter." He has always taken a keen interest in political matters, and he is widely known and esteemed by all.
COL. J. R. COATES, deceased, was born in Charlotte, Maine, March 26, 1826. At the age of twenty-three, together with his brother-in-law, John Beckford, he left home in the brig "Sirocco," December 6, 1849. In addition to paying fifty dollars for his passage, he worked before the mast, and ar- riving in San Francisco he was employed in lightering work on the docks. He went to Sacramento with Captain Crocker on the schooner "Elizabeth," of Barnstable. Leaving Sacramento he went to Boone's Bar on the Feather River, where he soon made a small fortune. Learning there was a great de- mand for pork in the Hawaiian Islands, he and a companion decided to buy a shipload of hogs and take them to the islands. However, when about half- way to their destination the hogs were taken ill and all died with cholera. The young men had invested all their money in the cargo, and, being penni- less, signed as able seamen and continued their voyage. They visited the South Sea Islands, and during a trip to Tahiti the queen of that domain fell in love with young Coates. She proposed marriage to him and agreed to make him king. He did not care to accept, and through the strategy of his friends he was smuggled aboard the ship at night while the queen was look- ing for him. He then followed a roving life and visited many of the coun- tries of Central and South America. He afterward returned to California and took up mining. He was again successful, and later returned to his native city, where he purchased a farm and engaged in the lumber business and ship building. On March 3, 1852, Colonel Coates was united in marriage to Miss Juliet M. Fisher, also a native of Charlotte, Maine, the bride belonging
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to one of the well-known and highly respected colonial families. To this union there were two children, Mrs. Juliette C. Harding, of Antioch, Cali- fornia, and Margaret Reynolds Coates, who died at the age of seven. When the call for troops was made at the beginning of the Civil War, Colonel Coates organized Company A, Fifteenth Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infan- try, being selected as sergeant. He had a fine military record, being promoted rapidly for bravery until the end of the conflict, when he returned with the rank of colonel. He was wounded many times, one ball shattering his left hand, another ploughing a furrow through his scalp, and a third shattering his ankle. The latter wound was received during Banks' Red River cam- paign, the wound being received at the battle of Mansfield, Louisiana, fol- lowing which he was captured. He saw service with General Butler when he captured New Orleans, and also was present with Grant's troops during the siege of Richmond. Being mustered out on parole, he soon afterward joined his regiment in the Shenandoah Valley, and served until the end of the war, being finally mustered out at Charleston, South Carolina. After getting back to Maine, Colonel Coates decided to return to California. He arrived here in 1867, with his family. He went to the mines, but found he had lost all right to his claims. He finally located in Contra Costa County and bought a tract of land upon which is now located Bixler Station on the Santa Fe Railroad. His original holding was the one-hundred-and-sixty-acre soldier's grant, but he soon bought more land until he owned six hundred and forty acres. In 1874 Mrs. Coates and her daughter returned East for her health, and she died in 1878. In 1880 Colonel Coates was united in marriage to Eliza- beth Blanche Madigan, of Baltimore. Directly after the death of his wife, in 1878, he left the Bixler tract and made his home on what is known as the Hill Ranch, south of Antioch, where one of the most improved dairy ranches in the State is operated. Colonel Coates first engaged in the cattle business and gradually changed to farming. At one time he engaged in a general merchandise business with Henry Brewer. When oil was first discovered south of Antioch, Colonel Coates purchased eight hundred and three acres in Oil Cañon. About thirty-one years ago he purchased property in Brent- wood, and erected Coates' Hall in that place. He was affiliated with the Masonic order for many years. Colonel Coates' death occurred in Antioch on July 27, 1915. In all the relations of life he proved himself a useful, con- scientious citizen of sound ideas and principles, and one who considered an untarnished name of greater value than the mere acquirement of wealth. He was a man of excellent judgment, fair in his views, and highly honorable in all his relations with his fellow-man. Two grandchildren survive him, John Coates Harding, born in San Francisco, July 8, 1882, and Stacy L. Harding, a graduate of the University of California, born in Waltham, Massachusetts, September 20, 1892. The latter is now employed in the Commercial Bank of Santa Barbara, and will eventually look after the property and business in- terests of his father.
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JOSEPH A. VON BUREN, one of the prominent ranchers of eastern Con- tra Costa County, was born in Switzerland, March 21, 1858, a son of Henry and Anna (Nederberger) Von Buren. In the parents' family were two girls and five sons. Joseph is the only one who came to Contra Costa County. He received his education in the public schools and attended college at Luzern, Switzerland, for three and a half years. He studied for a teacher, but before he had finished he was called home, where he assisted on the farm. His father died in 1886, and his mother passed away in 1866. At the age of eighteen Joseph went to Germany and worked on a farm at Essen for five years. He then returned home for a year and then spent two years in France. In the spring of 1882 he left Havre, France, and sailed for America. He went to St. Louis, where he found work at dairying, and milked thirty-six cows, for which he received twenty-five dollars a month. He remained here for two years, and in 1884 came to California, finding employment in Oakland at the dairy business for one year. He then removed to Marin County, where he worked at butter-making for seven years. In 1898 he went to the Paris Ex- position, and while home, he married Theresa Gwerder, a native of Switzer- land. To this union were born six children. Mr. and Mrs. Von Buren re- turned to Marin County where they remained one year, and then rented one hundred and sixty acres near Oakley for three years. In 1898 he bought one hundred and sixty acres known as the Winters Ranch, in 1902 purchased three hundred and twenty acres of the Harkinson family, and in 1906 bought one hundred and sixty acres known as the Crocker Ranch. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Von Buren are Lillie, born May 10, 1898; Violet, born November II, 1900; Orville, born October 24, 1901; Werner, born August 24, 1904; Edward and Daniel, twins, born September 15, 1906. Mr. Von Buren is a Republican, and the family are members of the Catholic church.
ARCHIE V. McFAUL .- Characterized by the same energetic activity, men- tal vigor, and business foresight that distinguished his father, James Reid McFaul, the subject of this review holds a high position among the leading business and fraternal men of Contra Costa County. He was born in Hamp- shire, Illinois, the son of James Reid and Francis M. (Davis) McFaul, both natives of Ontario, Canada. The parents of Mr. McFaul were married in Kingston, Ontario. Some time after their marriage they moved to Illinois. The father became identified with the C. B. & Q. R. R. at McCook, Nebraska, a division point. The family removed to California in 1894, and the father engaged in business in Watsonville. In 1905 he came to Contra Costa Coun- ty, and in 1908 located in Pittsburg, where he engaged in the furniture, hard- ware, and plumbing business under the firm name of J. R. McFaul & Son, which continued until the death of James R. McFaul, which occurred March 6, 1912, when Archie, his son and the subject of this sketch, took the man- agement. James McFaul was buried by Pittsburg Lodge No. 429, F. &. A. M. He was honored and esteemed by all who knew him, and his death was
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mourned by a wide circle of friends. Archie V. McFaul acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of California. For eight years he worked at mill- work and then associated himself with his father. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he has served on the River View school board for some time. He is a member of the Pittsburg board of health. Mr. McFaul was united in marriage September 18, 1910, to Miss Lillian A. Rou- ner, of Grass Valley. To this union Janice R. was born in Pittsburg, October 15, 1915. Mr. McFaul is past master of Pittsburg and Antioch lodge, and has always taken a keen interest in Masonic affairs. He is now serving as secre- tary of Pittsburg lodge. Both Mr. and Mrs. McFaul are members of the Eastern Star. He has one sister, Vera, wife of James S. Hornsby, who is salesman and bookkeeper for the firm. Mrs. McFaul before her marriage was identified with the Redwood Lumber Company as stenographer, for a period of three years, and in the Contra Costa County Bank in the same capacity for two years. Mr. McFaul's father was a thirty-second-degree Mason.
WILBUR S. PIERCE, one of the leading and successful attorneys of Rich- mond, engaged in the general practice of law, was born in Yolo County, California, March 12, 1889, a son of Charles E. and Virginia Pierce. His father is a native of Missouri, and his mother a native of California. Wilbur S. attended the graded and high schools in the acquirement of an education. Following his graduation from the high school, in 1910, he entered the Hast- ings Law College, graduating in 1912, and was admitted to the bar at Sacra- mento in 1913, beginning the practice of his profession in the district attor- ney's office at Woodland, California. He later removed to Richmond, where he has remained up to the present time, having built up an extensive and lucrative clientage as a practitioner of law. On November 15, 1914, Mr. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Eakle, daughter of J. B. and Lillian Eakle. Her parents were among the pioneers of Richmond. Mrs. Pierce's father died in 1906, and was numbered among the well-known and highly respected business men of the Bay counties. He was identified with the lumber interests of Richmond, was well known for his upright character, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Mrs. Pierce's mother makes her home in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Pierce has served as assistant dis- trict attorney of Richmond for one year. Politically, he is a Republican, and has taken considerable interest along party lines. Fraternally, he is identi- fied with the Richmond lodge of Masons and belongs to the chapter. He is also a member of the Elks of Richmond. He is the legal adviser of the Mer- chants Association, the Tilden Lumber Company, and other interests in Richmond. His professional knowledge is inexhaustive, and in his practice he is tactful, his ability winning him a greater degree of success than usually falls to the lot of an attorney of his age and experience. Mrs. Pierce's grand- mother deeded the land where Woodland is located, and gave the town its name. She is still living in her eighty-ninth year. Her grandfather was num-
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bered among the most respected citizens of Yolo County, and at one time was a candidate for governor of California.
AUTY O. DUGGAN, by his own energy, ambition and enterprise, and guid- ed by sound practical judgment, has worked his way upward to a place among the representative real-estate men of Richmond. He was born in Texas, March 17, 1886. He acquired his education in the public and high schools of his native State. Early in life he went to Clifton, Arizona, and worked in the copper mines. In 1905 he removed to Richmond, California, and became identified with the East Shore Suburban Railroad, remaining for a period of seven years. In 1912 he became identified with D. W. Mclaughlin in the real- estate business as salesman for two years. Previous to Mr. McLaughlin's death he had charge of the office, and since his death Mr. Duggan has been associ- ated with the East Richmond Heights Land Company as manager. This cor- poration is made up of the following well-known men: E. M. Downer, presi- dent; Chas. Lehmkuhl, secretary; A. Greenfield, treasurer; L. E. Hart, audit- or; A. O. Duggan, manager. Mr. Duggan has advanced along lines which have brought success, and he has been actuated by a spirit that recognizes the fact that efficiency and capability are the only qualities which really en- title one to advancement. He was united in marriage to Miss Florence Dun- can, of Richmond, July 15, 1914. To this union one son, Auty Wilson Dug- gan, was born April 27, 1915. Fraternally, Mr. Duggan is affiliated with the B. P. O. E. No. 1251, of Richmond. Mr. and Mrs. Duggan have a wide circle of friends in and around the Bay counties.
WALTER A. LA SELLE is an active factor in the commercial circles of Richmond, and is regarded as one of the enterprising and progressive young business men of his city. He was born in Nortonville, California, April 2, 1886. His parents are Erastus P. and Hattie B. La Selle. His father is a na- tive of New York State and his mother was born in Montana. Mr. La Selle's parents came to Contra Costa County in 1887, locating in Crockett, where his father became actively engaged in business, remaining in Crockett about eighteen years. He removed to Oakland, where he was engaged in business for two years. In 1904 he came to Richmond, and at once established a fur- niture store, the firm then being known as La Selle & Smallwood. This firm continued for about two years, when Mr. Smallwood disposed of his interest to his partner. The subject of this review received his education in the pub- lic schools of Oakland, graduating from the Polytechnic High School. He took a course in the medical department of the University, but did not finish. He decided to take an interest in his father's furniture store in Richmond, where he has since remained. Politically, Mr. La Selle is affiliated with the Democratic party, and has served on the Democratic county central com- mittee. Fraternally, he is a member of the B. P. O. E. of Richmond. On Octo- ber 10, 1914, he was united in marriage to Miss Hester Rickabaugh, a native
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of Lake County, California, and a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Mr. La Selle concentrates his energies upon his business af- fairs. He is a young man, and the progress that he has made already indi- cates the success which will come to him in the future. He has the confi- dence and esteem of those with whom he has been associated in business, and of all who are in any way connected with him.
GUSTAV W. PENNING .- Through the successive stages of progression, Gustav W. Penning has advanced to his present position of responsibility and importance as manager of the Santa Fe Foundry Company, of Rich- mond. He was born in Honolulu, September 3, 1883. He is the son of Henry and Charlotte Penning, both natives of Germany. His parents removed to California and located in Berkeley, where the mother still resides. Our sub- ject received his education in the public schools, and at the age of seventeen he started to learn the moulder's trade, which vocation he has followed all his life. He started with the Enterprise Foundry Company, of San Francisco, and remained with this firm until July 27, 1912, when he removed to Rich- mond and erected for the Enterprise Company the present commodious foundry. It has since been incorporated under the name of the Santa Fe Foundry Company of California, with the following officers: President, J. W. Mason; vice-president, J. C. Owens; secretary and manager, Gustav W. Penning. The firm manufactures iron and brass castings and does a general foundry and machine business. In politics Mr. Penning is a Republican. Fra- ternally, he is a member of Hermann's Sons of Berkeley. He was united in marriage to Miss Emma Klemm on June 6, 1907, and they have one son, Henry, born March 16, 1909.
HON. JAMES C. OWENS is numbered among the distinguished men of California because of the prominence he has attained in promoting the per- manent interests of the State along all lines. Senator Owens was born in Maysville, Kentucky, November 22, 1871, and acquired his education in the public schools of his native State. He is the son of J. S. Owens, who was one of the representative farmers and stockmen of his locality. In 1893 Senator Owens came to California and was identified with the San Francisco Street Railroad Company. He later engaged in the tobacco business. At the out- break of the Spanish-American War he enlisted and went to the Philippines, where he saw active service for eighteen months. After the war he served as chief sales clerk in the United States Depot Quartermaster's Department at Manila, and later as secretary-treasurer for the Provincial Government un- der Governor Taft. Upon his return to the United States, Senator Owens came to Richmond and took the management of a brick-manufacturing plant for a period of two years, after which he was identified with the hotel business at Richmond for several years, and in 1911 he engaged in the real- estate business. He is interested in several properties, the most important of
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HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
which is the Owens Addition to the city of Richmond. Previous to his elec- tion as State senator the honors of the mayorality of Richmond were con- ferred upon him, and he served during 1911 and 1912, resigning to take the office of State senator. While mayor he carefully studied every situation that bore upon the welfare of Richmond. The knowledge he gained in this office had much to do with shaping the policy of State matters. During his office as mayor bonds amounting to $1,170,000 were voted by the city to improve the water-front. Senator Owens is the first democratic senator to be elected from his district in forty years. He was elected in 1912 by a plurality of fif- teen hundred votes over the Republican candidate. He was very active and particularly successful in getting legislation for the benefit of his district. Among the bills that he introduced and passed were a bill providing that all the tide-lands along the Richmond water-front be granted by the State to the municipality, so that it might improve these lands as it saw fit, a bill pro- viding that saloons be closed between the hours of two and six a. m., and a number of bills simplifying the street and other municipal improvement acts, which he found cumbersome during his term of office as mayor of Richmond. During Senator Owens' administration as mayor Richmond ex- pended three million dollars on street and other improvements. On May 22, 1907, he was united in marriage to Miss Edith Berryman, a native of Cali- fornia. To this union one child, Mildred B., was born on August 29, 1909. Senator Owens is prominently identified in the fraternal and commercial circles of Richmond. He was the organizer of the Richmond Industrial Com- mission, and has served as president of the Sequoia Commercial Club. In 1913 he was the official representative of the city of Richmond, heading the delegation which went to Washington to lay their project before the En- gineering Board for the approval of the district engineer's plan to improve the Richmond water-front and harbor three miles in length. Fraternally, Senator Owens is a member of the B. P. O. E. and I. O. O. F. of Richmond, and a member of the Spanish-American War Veterans. He is a man of pro- gressive views and staunch honesty of purpose, and rose to a high place among the representative citizens of California. His name adds to the list of those whose labors have been so far-reaching and beneficial in effect that they have influenced many phases of community development.
ERNEST WILLIAM REHNERT .- One of the strong, forceful, and re- sourceful men, active and energetic among the early pioneers of Contra Cos- ta County during the early days, was Ernest William Rehnert. He was born in Prussia on September 24, 1824, and in his youthful days he learned the trade of blacksmithing. About the age of twenty-one he started out in life for himself and traveled extensively. In 1847 he sailed for Galveston, Texas. He there worked at his trade for one year, after which he was identified with the United States army as blacksmith and veterinary. In September, 1851, he started overland through Mexico to Mazatlan, with horse-teams part of the
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