USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 43
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journey and the balance of the way on pack-animals. He was accompanied by his wife and seven companions, who later sailed from Mazatlan on the schooner "Cornelius," arriving in San Francisco on December 16, 1851. In October, 1859, he removed to Contra Costa County and located on the San Pablo road, about two and a half miles from Pinole. Mr. Rehnert was united in marriage in San Antonio, Texas, June 13, 1851, to Barbara Miller, a native of Germany. To this union have been born five children: Charles W., Louise E., Annie Wilhelmina, whose death occurred on May 21, 1892. The other two children were twins, and died in infancy. Mr. Rehnert originally had about one hundred and twenty-five acres of land. This land was in litigation for forty years, the suit being finally decided against him and others in this lo- cality, and he was forced to lose about one hundred and twenty acres. He held the homestead, of about five acres, and in order to have more land was obliged to pay one hundred and thirty dollars an acre. There are now about seventeen acres in the old home place. Mr. Rehnert's death occurred on Sep- tember 6, 1892, and on July 28, 1898, his widow passed on. Charles W., the only son, was educated in the public schools and college. Finishing his schooling, he followed various vocations. He has been assistant superinten- dent in the Giant Powder Works, and was identified with the United States Powder Company at the time of the explosion. He married Hattie Ward, of San Pablo, on May 13, 1893, and their three children are Ernest V., who died at the age of nine years; Cecil Ward, born April 5, 1898; Thelma E., born May 8, 1906. The names of Ernest William Rehnert and his wife have long been held in the highest esteem in Contra Costa County, and their deaths were mourned by a large circle of friends.
JAMES P. ARNOLD .- One of the widely known and enterprising men of Richmond, California, and one who has the confidence and esteem of all who know him, is James P. Arnold, former chief of police of Richmond. Mr. Ar- nold is a native son, and was born in Merced, April 26, 1875, a son of James W. and Mary Jane (Hargrave) Arnold. His father was a native of Iowa, and his mother was born in Illinois. His parents crossed the plains in 1853 and settled in Nevada County. Mr. Arnold's father was a cattleman, and later moved to Merced County, where he became one of the prominent citizens of that locality and was largely interested in the cattle business. He removed to Santa Clara County and died in San Jose in February, 1907. The mother of Mr. Arnold makes her home in San Jose. The subject of this review acquired his education in the public schools of Santa Clara County. He took up farm- ing and rented four hundred acres south of San Jose. In 1901 he came to Richmond and was identified with the Santa Fe Railroad, where he remained for several months. He engaged in business and continued for nearly two years. He worked for the Standard Oil Company, and in 1909 was appointed chief of police of Richmond. Resigning in July, 1914, he became a candidate for sheriff of Contra Costa County. He is now the manager of the B. P. O. E.
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Club of Richmond. He was married on October 19, 1899, to Miss Edith John- son, of San Jose. Mrs. Arnold is a native of Boulder, Colorado, a daughter of Daniel Johnson, a retired orchardist of Santa Clara County. There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold-Ila Lucile, Wesley James, Howard Stanley, and Ogden Mills. Politically, Mr. Arnold is a Republican and takes an active part in the ranks. He is a man of excellent judgment, fair in his views, and highly honorable in all his relations with his fellow-men. Frater- nally, he is a worthy member of the B. P. O. E., W. O. W., and F. O. E. Mrs. Arnold holds membership in the Rebekah lodge, and takes an active part in all social affairs of Richmond.
WILLIAM E. DE LAND is numbered among the representative business men of Richmond. His activities have been a force in progress and his citi- zenship a valuable municipal asset. Mr. De Land resides in North Richmond, San Pablo District. He is one of the leaders in the promotion of construc- tion and progress in the community's advancement. He was born in Con- nersville, Indiana, on September 23, 1872. His parents were Lyman W. and Anna (Thompson) De Land. His father was a native of Broome County, New York, and for many years he was identified with Wannamaker & Brown, of Philadelphia, as traveling salesman. His death occurred in 1901. The mother of Mr. De Land was a native of Pennsylvania, and her death occurred on October 5, 1900. The subject of this sketch acquired his educa- tion in the public schools, graduating from the high school of New Haven, Connecticut. He attended Yale College and took up the engineering and millwright course. After leaving college he became identified with the well- known contracting firm of John Metcalf Company, of Chicago. For many years his advancement was steady, and, owing to his ability, he was pro- moted to many important positions. Mr. De Land came to California in 1912, locating in Bakersfield for some months, where he followed contracting. Later, in 1912, he removed to Richmond, and bought large holdings of land in North Richmond, which he has subdivided. Mr. De Land erected a large ho- tel and business place in this locality. He also has business interests in Richmond. He operates a moving-picture theater, has a transfer business, and has the contract for the sprinkling of the streets in Richmond. What- ever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion. This repu- tation has made him a person on whom his accociates can always depend, and he is known for his upright character and his straightforward dealings in business circles. Since taking up his residence in Richmond, he has been particularly active in the good roads improvement and has done much to stimulate interest along those lines. On December 9, 1891, Mr. De Land was united in marriage to Miss Linna M. Perkins, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Albert A. and Melvina Perkins. Her father was one of the promi- nent oilmen in his locality. The great-grandfather of Mr. De Land came to America with Lafayette and fought in the Revolutionary War. Mr. De
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Land's father during the Civil War enlisted in the thirty-fourth New York Infantry, and was discharged owing to disability. He served under Captain Baldwin and received seven gun-shot wounds, which incapacitated him for further service. Politically, Mr. De Land is affiliated with the Republican party, but he has never aspired to office. There have been two children born to Mr. and Mrs. De Land, namely, Bernice, born in Chicago, November 20, 1892, and William A., born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, May 7, 1895. Mrs. De Land is a member of the Womans' Relief Corps of the G. A. R., and holds membership in the Baptist church of Richmond. Mr. De Land concen- trates his attention upon his business affairs, in which he has been very suc- cessful, and much credit is due him for the position he has attained among the substantial men of Contra Costa County. William A. De Land is identi- fied with his father in his various business interests in and around Rich- mond.
EDWARD J. RANDALL, one of the successful and prominent business men of Martinez, whose interests extend to many fields, was born in Napa County, California, on October 6, 1863. His father, Edmund Randall, was a native of England, and came to America in 1850. He resided in Illinois for a time, when he came to the Golden State via the Isthmus route. Remaining in San Francisco for a brief period, he afterward located in Napa. Later he had large interests in Stanislaus County, where the town of Newman is now located. In 1879 Mr. Randall's father removed to Contra Costa County and settled in Ignacio Valley, where he was identified along agricultural pur- suits. He farmed seven hundred acres, provided his place with substantial barns and outbuildings, and engaged largely in the live-stock business. He passed away in 1901. Mr. Randall's mother's maiden name was Mary Tor- mey, a native of Ireland. She was the mother of seven children, only four of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Contra Costa County, and at St. Mary's College in San Francisco. His further education has been that acquired in the school of experience. He has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way, and his ability and energy have brought him into prominent relations with the financial affairs of his chosen county. After his schooling he farmed for five years. He then engaged in mercantile business in Concord with his brother Samuel, under the firm name of Randall Brothers. Here he continued until 1909, when he sold his interests. Some years ago he assumed the management of the L. Anderson lumber business, which was started in 1859 and incor- porated in 1899. This business has grown under his leadership, and today is one of the best-equipped plants in the country. His initial step toward the banking business was when he and four others subscribed and started the First National Bank of Martinez. He has been one of the bank's directors ever since, and has held the position of cashier since 1910. In politics, Mr. Randall is affiliated with the Democratic party. He has been supervisor for
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eight years, and is now acting as trustee for the town of Concord. Frater- nally, he is a member of the B. P. O. E. of Richmond, Woodmen of the World, Redmen, and Native Sons. He was united in marriage to Miss Nora Anderson on October 30, 1888, and she died December 6, 1900. Mr. Randall's second marriage was to Marguerite Anderson, a sister of his first wife, on October 29, 1904. There were five children born of the first union and one to the second.
HERSHEY ANNIN STIVER, freight and passenger agent for the South- ern Pacific Company at Richmond, California, is a railroad man of ex- perience who has won his position entirely on his own merits. His birth oc- curred in Benton, Indiana, on March 20, 1878. He acquired his education in the public schools of Goshen, Indiana, afterward attending the Michael Uni- versity, at Logansport, Indiana, and the Davis Business College, at Toledo, Ohio. In 1897 he became identified with railroad work on the Wabash, and filled positions as telegraph operator at Millersburg, Indiana, and Adrian and Detroit, Michigan, remaining with the Wabash Railroad nearly four years. Mr. Stiver has held various positions of importance and trust, and has trav- eled all over the country for the various roads he has represented. In 1903 he became associated with the Southern Pacific Company, acting as relief agent, and traveled largely over the Coast Division, being appointed in 1906 as assistant freight agent at San Jose. He came to Richmond early in 1908, being promoted to freight and passenger agent, which position he now holds to the eminent satisfaction of his company. Fraternally, he is a Mason, and has the distinction of serving as the first master of Alpha Lodge No. 431, F. & A. M., of Richmond. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Coun- cil, the Commandery, Order of the Eastern Star, Aahmes Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, and the B. P. O. E. No. 1251, of Richmond. In July, 1906, Mr. Stiver was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Alice Estle, a native of Kansas. To this union have been born two children-Laura Elizabeth, born May 9, 1907, and Martha Frances, born June II, 1911. Mrs. Stiver takes an ac- tive part in the social and church circles of Richmond, being the worthy ma- tron of Acantha Chapter No. 249, of the Eastern Star, for the year 1915, also president of the Mendelssohn Club during 1915, vice-president of the Rich- mond Club, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
EARL L. SCOFIELD holds an important position with the Standard Oil Company of California, as assistant superintendent of the white oil and fil- tering plant. He also held the position of superintendent of the asphalt de- partment for some time. There is great credit due him for having obtained his present position, as he enjoys in full measure the confidence and respect of his fellow-men. Mr. Scofield was born in Alameda, California, August 5, 1890. He is a son of D. G. Scofield, formerly identified with the Standard Oil Company of California as president. Earl Scofield acquired his education in
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the schools of Alameda. Completing his education he became associated with the Standard Oil Company. Fraternally, he is a member of the B. P. O. E. On March 2, 1911, Mr. Scofield was united in marriage to Miss Marian Troy, a native of Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Scofield are popular in social circles in the Bay cities. They have one daughter, Helen Frances, born Au- gust II, 1912.
MANUEL LAWRENCE FERNANDEZ, M. D., who is actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Pinole, is recognized as an able rep- resentative of the profession, who ever keeps in touch with the most ad- vanced methods and discoveries. His birth occurred July 13, 1876, his par- ents being Bernando and Carlota (Cuadra) Fernandez. Bernando Fernandez, one of Pinole's most prominent citizens, a capitalist and real-estate owner, was born in Portugal, November 15, 1828. He was reared in his native land, but at thirteen years of age he went to Brazil and remained in that country for some time, coming to New York in 1850. In 1853 he came to California, landing in San Francisco. He mined for some months, after which he sailed on the bay for some time. Subsequently he became owner of a schooner and carried provisions and freight from Pinole to San Francisco. He sold his boat and bought another, which he operated until 1856. Later he engaged in the mercantile business in Pinole until 1894. He also engaged in the hay and grain business on a very large scale and erected several large warehouses. As his financial ability increased he invested in real estate in Pinole, San Francisco, Oakland, and Martinez; in the latter town the Martinez Hotel was a part of his possessions. In 1894 he erected his handsome residence in Pinole. Mr. Fernandez was united in marriage to Carlota Cuadra, and they became the parents of six children. Fraternally, Mr. Fernandez was a Mason, a member of the Martinez lodge, and a Royal Arch Mason. He died on May 12, 1912. Doctor Manuel Lawrence Fernandez was educated in the public schools and in Berkeley Gymnasium, graduating in 1895. He then entered the University of California, where he took up medicine and graduated from that department in 1900, receiving the degree of M. D. Subsequently he re- moved to New York, where he entered the Willard Parker Hospital, and from 1901 to 1903 he studied in Berlin and Vienna. Returning to San Fran- cisco, he became identified as a practicing physician, remaining here until the fire in 1906, when he removed to Pinole, where he has since resided and practiced his profession. Doctor Fernandez has served as health officer for the town of Pinole for some time, and is a member of the State Lunacy Commission from Contra Costa County. He is a member of the County and State Medical Society, and also a member of the Society for Prevention of Tuberculosis. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the B. P. O. E. Politically, he is a Republican. Doctor Fernandez holds the position as physician and sur- geon for the Hercules Powder Company, and also for the Union Oil Com- pany. He holds to high ideals, not only in professional service, but in citizen-
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ship and in social relations, and his sterling manhood has gained for him the warm and enduring regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
HARRY DAY CHAPMAN, city engineer of Richmond, California, is num- bered among the most reliable and worthy representatives in his chosen pro- fession on the Pacific Coast. He has risen to a position of trust and respon- sibility with various great corporations in the West, and has a detailed knowledge of every branch of this business. This reputation has made him a man on whom his associates can always depend. Mr. Chapman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 20, 1868. His education was acquired in the public schools and the Washington University of St. Louis, where he studied civil engineering. After finishing his schooling he entered the railway survey work for some years, and then was identified with the city engineer's office at Sioux City, Iowa, for a period of five years. Removing to Seattle, he be- came identified with the city engineer's office under R. H. Thompson, for a period of two years. He was then connected with the power-house construc- tion on one of the Stone-Webster properties on the Puyallup River. Then, in 1905, he was placed in charge by the Abbott Kinney Company in building "Venice of America," at Venice, California. He afterward removed to St. Croix, Wisconsin, and took charge of the engineering work for Stone & Webster, and had charge of the construction. He then went to Ocean Park, California, and for two years acted as city engineer, after which he built the pumping plant of Redondo Beach, California. He was appointed city en- gineer of Richmond in 1910, which position he now holds, and he is widely recognized as one of the foremost engineers of the coast. Politically, he is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic lodge, being a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the chapter. He is an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. On January 23, 1906, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage to Miss Edith De Luna, a native of New York State.
EDWIN A. MAJORS, all his life a resident of Contra Costa County, is known as one of the community representatives and honored citizens, and to- day holds the important position of president in the First National Bank of Martinez. Mr. Majors was born in San Ramon, April 19, 1869, a son of David F. and Sarah (Dorman) Majors. His father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother of Ohio. His father was one of the prominent agriculturists in his locality, locating here in 1852, and was considered a man of broad and liberal mind. The parents of Mr. Majors have both passed away some years ago. Edwin A. Majors acquired his early schooling in the public schools of Contra Costa County, after which he attended the Oakland High School. For a time he followed ranching on the home place, and later became iden- tified with the mercantile interests in Concord. Here he continued for three years, and in 1907 was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Martinez, and has acted as president of the bank since it started, and in this
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position his excellent business and executive ability has been called forth. The fact that the bank has had a remarkable growth, the development of the institution is largely due to him. The bank has steadily prospered, being today one of the strong, safe and conservative institutions of Contra Costa County. Politically, Mr. Majors is affiliated with the Republican party. His father was supervisor at the time of his death, and Edwin A. was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. He was then elected and served some years. He was elected a member of the board of town trustees on April 10, 1916. Mr. Majors was united in marriage to Miss Alice Brawand, also a native of Contra Costa County, and a daughter of one of the county's respected pi- oneer citizens. To this union was born a daughter, Margaret.
JOHN NICHOLL .- The death of John Nicholl occurred on July 28, 1914, and he was buried from his home, 1721 Fourth Avenue, Oakland. The many floral pieces and flowers sent as tributes of love and respect by individuals and societies served as a slight indication of the place he held in the estima- tion of the people of the Bay counties, of the State, and of the United States. His demise brought to a close a long, useful, and honorable life, the influence of which was felt as a factor in the pioneer development of Contra Costa County. He was numbered among the most representative men of Califor- nia, and among the men who played an important part in the history of the State. Mr. Nicholl passed away at the age of ninety-two years, after a life of ceaseless activity, philanthropy, and enterprise. He was one of the few keen- minded men among the early pioneers who discerned the possibilities of the land. At the time when prospectors were digging for gold he was developing farms, building schools, and laying the foundation for a fortune. John Nicholl was born on November 19, 1822, in the north of Ireland, and was of Scotch ancestry. He emigrated to New York in 1849, and there married Agnes Booth (Hodge), a playmate of his childhood, who came to this country a year after her fiancé. The two started to California for a wedding trip across the Isth- mus of Panama with a party of thirteen, when the railroad ran only half- way. The bride rode a mule and the groom walked. When they arrived in San Francisco Mr. Nicholl paid one dollar to cross the Bay to San Antonio, now Oakland. He went from there to San Leandro, where for a time he worked a grain ranch on shares. So successful was this venture that in four years he was able to extend his holdings and acquire two hundred acres of the San Pablo Rancho, now Richmond. At that period a stage-coach ran out to the rancho. Prophesying that a town would some day cover the territory, he purchased more land. Here he made his home and started the first school, hauling the lumber in his own wagons. He became the chief owner of San Pablo Rancho, which for thirty-five years was involved in litigation, and in 1900, when the title was cleared, he started the town of Point Richmond, now known as Richmond. Mr. Nicholl became a close friend of Claus Spreck- els and together the two pioneers engaged in great and successful business
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enterprises. He extended his holdings over other parts of the State, securing a vast tract from a Spanish grant in Ventura County, and introduced the culture of lima beans, an industry which has grown to great agricultural im- portance in Ventura. Business was not the vital interest of Mr. Nicholl's life. He was devoted to his home, an ardent churchman, and a ceaseless worker in the cause of education. He desired the advancement of the com- munity of civic enthusiasm and welfare. He was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church, erected in Oakland, and an elder in the branch church of San Pablo for forty years. He erected the first brick structure on Washington Street in Oakland. His charitable work was extensive, though never mentioned by himself, but many testified to his kindness and fine char- acter. After the death of his wife, which occurred May 13, 1895, Mr. Nicholl made his home with his daughters in Oakland. There were nine in the family: Mrs. J. C. Weir, of Vacaville, John H. Nicholl, Miss Mary E. Nicholl, Miss Hester H. Nicholl, and Mrs. Lulu G. Wilson, of Oakland, Mrs. Agnes B. Clark, William B. Nicholl, of Ventura, Joseph L. Nicholl, of Richmond, and Mrs. Ruth A. Wells, of Ventura, deceased.
EDWARD J. BURG .- The name of Edward J. Burg has come to be regard- ed as synonymous with development and progress in Richmond, California. Being a native of Sweden, where he was born on January 12, 1868, he ac- quired the foundation of his early education in the public schools of that country. At the age of twelve he came to America, locating in Illinois, where he resided for a year. In 1881 he moved to San Francisco, remaining there a short time and later located in Contra Costa County, where he secured em- ployment on a farm and continued his studies in the public schools. He at- tended the California Military Academy in Oakland, graduating with the class of '87. Mr. Burg later identified himself with the newspapers on the Pa- cific Coast in various capacities. He traveled extensively, and was in Chile, South America, during the revolution between President Balmaceda and the navy. For a considerable time he resided in Central America. In 1899 he went to Seattle, joining in the gold rush to Alaska in that year. In 1900 he moved to Berkeley, California. In 1901 the Burg brothers (Edward J. and Carl H., who came to California in 1888) began operations in Richmond. Five years later the Bay Cities Land Company was organized and incorporated in 1912, the firm of Burg Brothers being incorporated in 1910. Throughout the vari- ous stages of the growth and development of the company the energy and broad business policies of Edward J. Burg are apparent. It was due largely to his untiring efforts that the pastures of Richmond were converted into city lots, covered with homes and business structures, which increased in value to such a remarkable degree in the short space of fifteen years. To give some idea of the success attending his efforts it is only necessary to state that the real-estate corporations, of which he is the secretary and manager, are the third largest taxpayers in the city of Richmond, paying more in
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