USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 49
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HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Ireland. His parents were united in marriage in Albany, N. Y., and came west in 1850, locating in Sonoma County. His father worked at ranching for a time for Colonel Swift, and later became identified with Mr. Hood in buying large numbers of sheep. Mr. Cunningham's father brought the sheep to Contra Costa County and made all the arrangements to locate in this county on government lands. He took up six hundred and forty acres of land at Bay Point, afterward adding to his holdings. When the C. A. Smith Lum- ber Company located at Bay Point in the spring of 1908, Simon W. and his brothers disposed of one thousand acres to this concern. Mr. Cunningham's father died in 1901, and his mother passed away in 1914. There were eight sons and one daughter born into the parents' family. The subject of this sketch acquired his education in the public schools of Bay Point, after which he looked after the ranch interests and became interested in business at Bay Point for ten years. In 1910 he engaged in the dry-goods and gentlemen's furnishing-goods business, and is recognized as a far-sighted and resourceful business man. In politics Mr. Cunningham is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is affili- ated with the Modern Woodmen of America, I. D. E. S., and the U. P. E. C. He was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Williams of Concord. To this union there have been two children-Warren, born April 19, 1905, and Mer- vin, born July 2, 1914. Mrs. Cunningham's father, Joseph Williams, Sr., is one of the respected ranchers in his locality, and has been a resident of Contra Costa County for many years.
VOLNEY TAYLOR .- Among the men who assisted materially in the de- velopment of eastern Contra Costa County prominent mention should be made of Volney Taylor, a man of enterprising ideas and methods. He was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, June 20, 1851, and came with his parents to California when he was fifteen years of age. His father, Alexander T. Taylor, was born in the township of Bolton, Province of Quebec, Canada, September 15, 1821, and at the age of twenty he started in life for himself. In 1844 he rented a farm in Canada, and later purchased the land, which he operated for eleven years. Disposing of his landholdings he returned to the place of his birth, where he remained until his removal to the Pacific Coast. Accompanied by his family he sailed from New York on November 6, 1866, to the Isthmus of Panama, and from there to San Francisco, arriving De- cember 6th of that year. He located near Vallejo, Solano County, where he rented a farm for two years. In September, 1868, he removed to Contra Costa County, locating in the Point of Timber district, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land. From the first he was successful, and large crops of grain made his land a valuable investment. The marriage of Alexander T. Taylor occurred on June 17, 1845, to Miss Louisa Bruce, a na- tive of Vermont. To this union were the following children: Valeria M., born July 14, 1846, wife of C. A. Foster (passed away in 1908); Avyette, born Oc- tober 27, 1848, wife of A. Richardson (passed away in 1907); Alexander V.,
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born April 11, 1853; and Volney, the subject of this review. The Taylor family originated in England, and established themselves near Quebec, Canada, during the early history of America. Alexander T. Taylor died in 1912 and was numbered among the most prominent and representative men of eastern Contra Costa County. He came empty-handed to the State and won his way to a position of prominence, and his death was mourned by a wide circle of friends. Volney Taylor acquired his education in the public schools of Valle- jo, and in 1872 he graduated from the Pacific Business College in San Fran- cisco, after which he returned to the home place and took up farming. He purchased the home farm from his father, and in addition to this he bought two other ranches. He now owns about eight hundred acres of the finest land in the eastern part of the county, being especially adapted to grain and alfalfa, and Mr. Taylor now has about one hundred and fifty acres of the fin- est alfalfa raised in this county. From 1896 to 1905 Mr. Taylor made his home in Oakland. He was united in marriage to Miss Agnes E. Andrews, a native of Illinois, and to this union was born one son, Everett B., now a prominent attorney residing in Martinez. On December II, 1901, he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie F. Bohmen, of Sacramento, and their one daughter, Beatrice B., was born in 1905. Volney Taylor has gained a place of influence in Contra Costa County, and has won for himself a fine reputation for his business ability. He is president of the Byron-Bethany Irrigation Company. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the East- ern Star. He also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and in the Independent Order of Good Templars.
JAMES SIMEON HOOK .- An early pioneer of Contra Costa County and a prominent member of its agricultural community, James S. Hook is widely and favorably known throughout the Bay section as an upright man of hon- est integrity and sterling worth. Mr. Hook is a son of William Hook, one of the first settlers in Contra Costa County, who died July 24, 1882. William and Elijah were twin brothers, born in Salem, Virginia, February 4, 1805. Their father died when the boys were fourteen. They moved with the family to Howard County, Missouri, where they engaged in building houses. In 1827, they purchased a quantity of dry goods and joined an expedition for Santa Fe. The night previous to their arrival at Santa Fe they met some Mexicans who informed them the following day there was to be a massacre, which took place and many were killed. William Hook hired mules and packed the goods over the mountains into Sonora, where Elijah joined him. They visited the principal towns in Sonora, sold what goods they could, and returned to Santa Fe. Learning that the Indians were troublesome on the way home, they went to Matamoras, where the brothers parted, Elijah tak- ing passage to Philadelphia. He had fifty thousand dollars with him, which he put in the safe, no one but the captain knowing that he had the money. After being at sea for some days, a man tossed Elijah overboard. Just as he
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was sinking for the last time, he caught a rope and was pulled aboard. When William and Elijah parted William purchased a drove of mules and started for Missouri, through Texas. On the way he was taken sick and was cared for by a family in northern Texas. He recovered and finally reached the mouth of Red River, where he sold the mules, and after three months he reached his destination. The brothers then engaged in the merchandise bus- iness for several years. They also took up the steamboat business and made a trip to New Orleans. Cholera broke out and the crew died except the Hook brothers. On the second trip to New Orleans, Elijah died of yellow fever, in August, 1835. The same year William married Miss Miranda Brown. In 1850 he and his wife crossed the plains, arriving in Placerville on Septem- ber 1, 1850, just before California was declared a State. Their daughter Em- ma was the first white child born in Placerville. The following spring they removed to Sacramento. In 1853 they came to Martinez. Here Mr. Hook en- gaged in business. In 1854 he purchased land in Contra Costa County, and in 1855 and 1856 he bought more land and owned nearly three thousand acres. James S. Hook was born January 27, 1853. At the age of six years his par- ents moved onto land near Pacheco. He was educated in the public schools, Braden College, a private school in Oakland, and the University of Califor- nia, graduating from the department of agriculture in 1874. He returned to the home place, where he has always been active in agricultural pursuits. He has been enterprising in fruit culture, and has about nine thousand trees and ships annually nearly four hundred tons of pears. He was united in marriage on October 24, 1883, to Miss Louise Gambs, a daughter of John and Helen Gambs. Her father was one of the pioneer merchants of Pacheco, and one of the first to engage in the manufacture of wine in this county. He died in June, 1907. Her mother is still living, and is now nearly seventy-five years old. Mrs. Hook was born July 30, 1864. To this union there are three sons- Theodore Harold, born August 14, 1885; Cyril Randolph, born March 1, 1888; James Stanley, born July 29, 1897. James S. Hook is a member of the Ma- sonic lodge of Walnut Creek, and the Woodmen of the World. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hook are members of the Eastern Star and Artisans. In politics Mr. Hook is a Republican. Theodore Harold married Josephine Russi, of Pa- checo, in June, 1913, and their daughter, Lucille Marie, was born October 20, 1916. Cyril Randolph married Flora Dewing, of Walnut Creek, in March, 1913, and their one child, Flora Jane, was born July 26, 1915. In fraternal circles Theodore H. and Cyril R. are members of the Masonic lodge of Dan- ville and hold membership in the Royal Arch. At the age of twenty-five The- odore H. held the office of worshipful master of the Masonic lodge at Wal- nut Creek for two terms. Vincent Hook, a son of William Hook, graduated in civil engineering from the University of California in 1876, and follows general farming. He was married on September 26, 1885, to Adele Raap, a native of Contra Costa County. He is a Republican, and was elected super- visor in 1906, and has since held this office. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Native Sons, the I. O. O. F., the W. O. W., and the Eastern
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Star. The Hook family is accordingly respected and esteemed by a wide cir- cle of friends in the Bay region.
LUKE BULGER has been actively identified with business interests of Contra Costa County as a contractor and builder for the past thirty-nine years. He was born in Canada, near Montreal, June 6, 1852, a son of James and Margaret Bulger, both natives of Ireland. Mr. Bulger acquired his edu- cation in the public schools of Chicago, Illinois. He took up the carpenter trade when a young man, and has since been identified with contracting and building. Thirty-nine years ago he came to Martinez, where he embarked in business as a building contractor on his own account. He first erected cot- tages and did carpenterwork and gradually branched out into larger con- struction. He has erected and been identified with many important struc- tures. He was superintendent of the Contra Costa County courthouse and town hall, and also had charge of the Byron Hot Springs Hotel. He has erected many of the finest homes in Martinez. Politically, Mr. Bulger is a Democrat. He has served as school trustee for twenty-four years. He was united in marriage thirty-five years ago to Margaret Hurley; her death oc- curred seventeen years ago. There were eight children born to this union. Mr. Bulger is a member of the Woodmen of the World.
HERMAN H. BRUNS, a representative pioneer settler of Contra Costa County and a true type of the brave, hardy, and energetic men of nearly fifty years ago who, coming to this country in manhood's prime, contributed largely toward its growth and advancement. He was a man of excellent ability, sound judgment, and good principles. Being a native of Germany, he was reared and educated in his native land. In the early 'zos he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in the Antioch section, where he suc- cessfully carried on general ranching. Mr. Bruns married Catherine Brugga- mann, also a native of Germany, and to this union there are two children- John, born June 12, 1888, and Herman H., Jr., born December 31, 1885. Both boys received their education in the public schools of Byron and Brentwood, after which they assisted on the home place. John H. was united in marriage to Esther L. Davidson, a native of Antioch, July 21, 1915, and to this union was born John Donald, December 6, 1916. Fraternally, John H. Bruns and his brother are members of the I. O. O. F. of Byron and the Masonic lodge of Brentwood. Politically, they both are affiliated with the Republican party, and they adhere to the principles which are advocated in the platform of their party in national affairs, but locally reserve the right to cast their bal- lots for the man whom they consider best qualified for public office. In Brentwood Bruns Brothers erected a concrete and modern garage, 75 by 120 feet, which would be a credit to a larger city. They have erected a modern and substantial garage in Antioch, 50 by 100 feet, on the corner of Third and F streets. The firm of Bruns Brothers have the agency for the Buick and
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Ford automobiles. They are held in the highest esteem both in business and social relations in their community.
GEORGE W. SMITH .- Among the most beautiful as well as the most pro- ductive ranches in eastern Contra Costa County is that of George W. Smith, residing near Brentwood. It is located beautifully and commands a sweeping view of Mount Diablo. Of this property, consisting of fifty-six and a half acres, fifty-four acres is given over to the production of the finest varieties of walnuts and almonds. The care and attention which have been exercised in the management of this ranch place it at once among the most valuable properties in this section. Born in Illinois on August 4, 1858, George W. Smith was one of a family of four children. His parents were Oscar and Sarah Jane Smith. His father came to California in 1863 and located in Lodi, where he farmed for about one year. He then moved to Napa and remained for two years. Afterward he made his home in Davis for a period of three years. Seeing the possibilities of eastern Contra Costa County, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres and engaged in general farming. His death oc- curred in 1910. His wife died in 1865; while they resided in Napa. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Brentwood. At the age of twenty-one he rented a place on the Marsh grant, where he re- mained for sixteen years. Nineteen years ago he returned to the home place and took the management of his father's interests, which he has successfully conducted up to the time of his father's death. Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Miss Mattie Walton, a native of Texas, in 1884. To this union have been born two children. Alma, the first daughter, on July 21, 1903, married Joseph W. Pfaff, and resides on the home place. Their three children are Evelyn, George, and Violette. Mr. Smith's second daughter, Eunice, was united in marriage to William Meuser, of San Francisco, on September 5, 1909. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and has always sought to advance the principles which he indorses. He gives his aid toward good government as well as the general welfare of his locality. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic lodge of Brentwood, and holds membership in the Eastern Star. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Foresters. The other chil- dren in Mr. Smith's parents' family are Henry C., residing in Santa Cruz; Mattie, wife of William Douglass, residing in Marin County; and Charles, who died at the age of twenty-five.
ROBERT WALLACE, JR .- Prominently identified with the active and en- terprising business men and agriculturists of Brentwood is Robert Wallace, Jr. He is a man of ability and is numbered among the substantial men of his community. He is successfully engaged in the insurance business, and the high reputation which he enjoys is greatly to his credit, for it stamps him as a man who follows only the fairest methods. For fourteen years he has served as justice of the peace, and he has fulfilled the expectations which the
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people had in him when they entrusted their affairs to his care. Mr. Wallace was born in San Francisco on September 28, 1859, being a son of Robert and Ann (Shepard) Wallace. Both parents were natives of North Shields, Eng- land. His father learned the trade of ship-caulker and came to San Francisco in 1857, where he readily found employment. In 1870 he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land south of Brentwood, and upon this place Rob- ert, Jr., began his manual labors. After finishing his education, Robert as- sumed charge of his father's place. After a time he rented the ranch, and soon purchased one hundred and sixty acres adjoining his father's property. Mr. Wallace was united in marriage to Miss Alice J. Murphy, daughter of John Murphy, of Concord. To this union have been born four children-Rob- ert, Jr., Ray, Elaine, and Richard. In his fraternal relations Mr. Wallace is affiliated with Brentwood Lodge No. 345, F. & A. M., in which he served as master for a period of five years. He also occupied the various chairs in the order. He is a member of the Eastern Star and has served as patron of the latter. He also holds membership in the I. O. O. F. lodge of Byron. He is a member and director of the Point of Timber Cemetery Association and the Contra Costa Agricultural Association. He has taken a keen interest in good horses, and was a member of the Concord Driving Club of Contra Costa County. Mr. Wallace is a Democrat in politics, and in casting his vote he exercises the same caution and judgment which characterize his business enterprises. His mother passed away in 1892, and her death was mourned by a wide circle of friends.
GEORGE W. KNIGHT .- No one man has done more to advance the agri- cultural, horticultural, and commercial interests of eastern Contra Costa County than George W. Knight, of Knightsen. Enterprising, energetic, and progressive, he has developed one of the best paying ranches in that section. Mr. Knight was born in Chelsea, Maine, January 20, 1843, and is a son of John and Adeline (Tibbetts) Knight. At the age of twenty-three he became dependent upon his own resources, and went to Massachusetts, where he followed the occupation of landscape gardening. He saved considerable money, and in 1874 he determined to cast his lot with the Golden West and sailed for California via the Panama route. He went to Santa Barbara, where he found employment on a ranch. His desire was to own a fine ranch. Through the result of close economy, after working out in San Francisco, Marin County, Livermore Valley, and Antioch, he obtained a sufficient sum to enable him to rent a ranch in connection with G. Dunbar and N. B. Hew- itt. Later Mr. Knight engaged in the hay-pressing business. He followed this and other work until 1883, when he purchased one hundred and ten acres, a part of the Barkley ranch, and began to improve it. He devoted the land to the cultivation of grain and hay, and met with financial success. He then purchased eighty acres, and again ten acres adjoining. Mr. Knight set out several acres of almonds. He raised all of his own trees and did considerable
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nursery work. He propagated the "Klondike" almond, and made exhibits at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. Foreseeing the need of a shipping station and post-office at that point on the Santa Fe Railroad, in 1900 he had sur- veyed seven and a half acres of land, erected a store and post-office, and on May 15 was appointed postmaster. Mr. Knight was united in marriage on March 2, 1885, to Christina Christensen, a native of Denmark, the daughter of Johan and Anna (Hansen) Christensen, and it was the combination of the two names which gave the name to the town of Knightsen. To this union have been born Amy Marie, wife of Harvey Nelson Rook, of Williamsport, Pa., married September 5, 1902, and engaged in the grocery business in Los Angeles. They have four children-Virginia Margaret Amy, born January 31, 1904; Harvey Nelson, born January 23, 1906; Robert McClellan, born Jan- uary 14, 1909; and Ellen Marie, born October 1, 1912. Addie Flora Knight was married to Phillip Cohen Mecum, of Chico, California, July 17, 1911. Their one child, Vernon Claire, was born July 27, 1914. Essie Wilmena Knight was united in marriage to Lewis Ervin Lehmer, of Harrisburg, Pa., June 2, 1912. Their one son, Lewis Erwin, Jr., was born April 24, 1913. Mr. Lehmer is con- nected with the Southern Pacific Company as station agent at Raisin City, Fresno County, California. George W. Knight has been a lifelong Republi- can. He has served on the Knightsen school board for a period of fourteen years, and served as clerk of the board most of the time. He has never as- pired to public office. Mr. Knight raised 2065 sacks of barley on sixty-five acres in 1915, and he has twenty-five acres set out to almonds, and ships an- nually on an average about eight tons of the finest almonds grown in Cali- fornia.
EDSON H. FOX, president and manager of the ranch of the Central Cream- ery Company, with offices at corner of Twelfth and Jefferson streets, Oak- land, is a man of much energy and activity. He is held in high esteem by his large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was born in Aurora, Illinois, April 6, 1871. His father, Daniel Fox, was a soap manufacturer during his residence in Illinois. His mother, Jennie (Baker) Fox, was a native of Illinois. The family came to the Pacific Coast in 1883, and settled in Oak- land, where Edson H. received his education. Laying aside his books, Mr. Fox worked at the baking business for a time, and later worked for the Fair- mont dairy for six years. The Central Creamery Company now owns three hundred acres of choice land near Oakley, and has a herd of three hundred and thirty selected cows. The buildings are of the most advanced type, and the sanitary regulations in this dairy are the most modern and up to date. Politically, Mr. Fox is a Republican, but he has never aspired to office. He was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Ransom, a native of Nevada County, California. To this union one son, Ransom Fox, was born in 1899. The stock- holders in the Central Creamery Company are J. M. Carr, J. J. O'Neil (man- ager and secretary), Mrs. Jayne, George Hickman, and E. H. Fox. The sub-
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ject of this review is a public-spirited man and ever ready to lend his best efforts toward the promotion of any movement calculated to advance the in- terests of eastern Contra Costa County.
HENRY W. HEIDORN is an active representative of business interests in eastern Contra Costa County. He is engaged in the general mercantile business at Knightsen, and was born July 16, 1876. He is a son of Christopher Heidorn, a representative rancher, who came to this county in 1868. Entirely through his own efforts he acquired a position of importance in the county, and by his constant and undivided attention and by exercising economy he became the owner of a two-hundred-and-forty-acre ranch. Mr. Heidorn's father was a native of Germany, and came to America when a young man and settled on the Alfred ranch near Knightsen. Three years later he purchased two hundred and forty acres and engaged in general farming operations, raising grain and hay, and had considerable land set out to fruits, nuts, and vine- yard. His death occurred on November 21, 1906. Henry W. Heidorn, the sub- ject of this review, acquired his education in the public schools of Brent- wood and Antioch, after which he attended college in San Francisco. After finishing his education he became identified with general merchandise stores in San Francisco, Crockett, and Antioch, and in January, 1904, he opened a store in Knightsen. In his parents' family there were three children-Emma, wife of Thomas White, residing on the home place; Edna, a teacher in the public school of Knightsen; and our subject. Mr. Heidorn is affiliated with the Republican party, and has served on the local school board for a period of ten years. He has served six years as deputy county assessor for the fifth district, and has acted as a delegate on the county central committee for six years. He has been postmaster at Knightsen and takes a keen interest in the upbuilding and modern activities of the eastern part of the county. Fra- ternally, Mr. Heidorn is a Mason and a member of No. 345, F. & A. M., a Royal Arch Mason, and is past patron of the Eastern Star, besides being a member of the I. O. O. F. of Byron and the Independent Order of Foresters of Brentwood. He was married September 27, 1905, to Miss Helen Souther- land Johnston, a native of San Francisco and a daughter of James and Helen C. Johnston. Mrs. Heidorn's father was a prominent contractor in San Fran- cisco, and died in 1910. Her mother is still living. Mr. Heidorn's father came to this country via Panama accompanied by his brother. His father first set- tled in Dixon. He later went to Pacheco and worked for Mr. Loucks, and at a later time worked for the Antioch distillery. He returned to Germany, where he remained for one year, when he again made the trip to this coun- try, where he remained and became one of the leading ranchers in east- ern Contra Costa County.
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