USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 54
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GEORGE H. SHAFER is one of the representative business men of east- ern Contra Costa County. He was born in Rio Vista, California, February 26, 1866. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Pierce) Shafer. His father was a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, who came west via Cape Horn about 1855. Mr. Shafer's mother crossed the plains in 1852 with her parents. In the parents' family there were five children, all living-Adrian H., a rancher, residing in Brentwood; Mabel, wife of George Geddes, of
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Byron; Winifred, wife of M. Preston, of Byron; Hannah, and the subject of this sketch. Mr. Shafer's father died on April 10, 1915. He was one of the early river men on the Sacramento. He later became identified with the stock business and ranched on a large scale, owning five hundred and eighty acres. He was one of the agriculturalists of this county who brought about personal success by application and industry, giving thought, time, and at- tention to the cultivation of his land. Mr. Shafer was active in politics, but never aspired to public office. He was on many occasions a delegate to the county conventions. He was a great temperance worker, and did much to further the cause. George H. Shafer acquired his education in the Eden Plain School District, near Brentwood. He attended the Stockton Normal and Business College. Finishing his education he returned to Brentwood and engaged in the livery business. He was elected constable in 1888, and held this office to the satisfaction of the people continuously, with the ex- ception of four years, when he did not run for the office, owing to other matters that occupied his time. He was appointed by W. C. Rogers in 1888 as deputy sheriff. He gives his political support to the Republican party. In 1905 Mr. Shafer engaged in the undertaking business and served as deputy coroner under Doctor C. L. Abbott, of Richmond. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge of Brentwood, the Foresters, the Odd Fellows of Byron, and the I. D. E. S. of Oakley. Mr. Shafer was united in marriage to Martha C. Bainbridge, of Stockton, August 20, 1888. She was a daughter of Doctor J. A. Bainbridge, whose death occurred in 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have one son, Earl B., born May 19, 1890, who is now in the employ of the People's Water Company as surveyor. Mrs. Shafer is an active mem- ber of the Eastern Star and also holds membership in Companion Court Sister Lodge of Foresters. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have gained an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances in eastern Contra Costa County.
CHARLES THOMAS SHELLENBERGER, a rancher for many years in eastern Contra Costa County, is a man who occupies a prominent place among the representative and highly esteemed men of that locality. He was born in Illinois on January 29, 1868, and is a son of John Shellenberger, who was numbered among the prominent men of Mackinaw, Illinois, and who served for many years as justice of the peace in his locality. In 1889 Charles T. Shellenberger removed to California. He worked out for a time, and later bought forty acres in Deer Valley. He afterward purchased the ad- joining two hundred acres, part of which was known as the Woodhall Smith place. He has always carried on general farming. He is a man of in- dustry and activity, and by wise judgment and forethought has accumu- lated a competency. Mr. Shellenberger was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Heidorn on October 17, 1894, and to this union there have been four children-Emma Charlotte, born November 17, 1897; Frank Rattan, born March 20, 1899; Charles Thomas, Jr., born June 3, 1902; Henry Heidorn,
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born July 6, 1910. Politically, Mr. Shellenberger is a Progressive. He has served on the Deer Valley school board for many years. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic lodge and the Foresters of Brentwood. His mother, Elizabeth (Sargent) Shellenberger, was born March 19, 1834, and died August 21, 1876. His parents were married March 3, 1853, and had ten children. His father was born January 14, 1824, and died January 30, 1905. Charles T. Shellenberger made his home in Deer Valley until 1908, when he removed to the Lone Tree section, where he occupies the home formerly known as the Darby place.
LEE DURHAM is a man who has by his own energy, ambition, and enter- prise worked his way upward to a place among the representative men of eastern Contra Costa County. Mr. Durham was born near Concord, Contra Costa County, April 15, 1873. He acquired his education in the public schools of Concord, after which he took a business course. He became identified with the Bank of Antioch, where he remained for a period of ten years as assistant cashier. He then went to Martinez and was connected with the Bank of Martinez as assistant cashier for ten years. A spirit of progress has actuated him in all he has done, and success along banking lines has at- tended his well-directed labors, so that he stands today one of the practical men of eastern Contra Costa County. When the Bank of Brentwood was organized, Mr. Durham was chosen as cashier and secretary, and has done much in making this bank a success. He was united in marriage on June 29, 1904, to Miss Alice L. Joslin, a daughter of S. B. and Mary Joslin. Mrs. Durham's father was one of the pioneer settlers in Antioch, dying there in 1902. Fraternally, Mr. Durham is affiliated with the Masonic lodge of An- tioch, and both he and his wife hold a membership in the Eastern Star. Mr. Durham is a member of Mount Diablo Parlor of the Native Sons of An- tioch. Politically, he is registered as a Progressive. In all official and social relations Mr. Durham adheres to high ideals and has the confidence and regard of the entire community, and his circle of friends is constantly in- creasing.
JAMES O'HARA .- Numbered among the representative and well-known fruitmen of eastern Contra Costa County was James O'Hara, deceased. He established a reputation as one of the substantial and progressive men of the county. He was a native of Bangor, Maine, and was born on November 8, 1840, the son of Henry and Ann O'Hara, both natives of Ireland. His par- ents came to America in the early days, locating in Bangor, where his father followed farming. James received his education in the public schools of Ban- gor. He worked on his father's farm until he reached the age of eighteen, when he left home and traveled through the Southern States. In 1860 he came to California and settled in Contra Costa County, where he found em- ployment at farming and dairying. In 1887 he bought one hundred and sixty
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acres and later purchased six hundred and forty acres near Oakley at five dollars an acre. When he located here it was covered with chaparral, and thousands of rabbits were on his land. He cleared five sections of land, and established an almond orchard of eighty acres, afterward adding to this to the extent of one hundred and sixty acres of fruit and nuts, at the home place. Mr. O'Hara spent many happy and profitable years up to the time of his death, which occurred on September 9, 1912, his able and enterprising sons succeeding to the management of the ranch. Mr. O'Hara sold the land where Oakley is located, afterward buying back eighteen acres, which he subdivided and put on the O'Hara addition to Oakley. In politics he was a Democrat, and did much along party lines, although he never aspired to public office. Mr. O'Hara possessed great energy, and did more for Oakley and surrounding country than any other man, and at the time of his death he owned seven hundred acres. On April 15, 1885, Mr. O'Hara was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hickey, a native of Massachusetts, who lived in the Berkshire Hills. Her parents were James and Catherine Hickey. Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara were the parents of four children-William J., born March 21, 1886; Anna C., born December 6, 1888; Elwin L., born February 15, 1890; Charles E., born September 23, 1893. Charles E. graduated from the Univer- sity of California in May, 1916. He is now at Manila, Philippine Islands, and identified with Calamba Sugar Estate. The family are members of the Cath- olic church of Oakley.
WILLIAM C. WILLIAMSON .- Prominent among the more active, enter- prising, and influential citizens of eastern Contra Costa County may be mentioned William C. Williamson, who has been identified with the agri- cultural pursuits of this county for many years. He was born in Taney County, Missouri, October 27, 1858, the son of Jesse and Ann (Stallcup) Williamson, who were the parents of seven children. At the age of twenty, Mr. Williamson went to Mendocino County and found employment with the Caspar Lumber Company for nearly two years. Returning to Missouri, he spent over six years farming, and in 1888 he returned to California and rented the Shannon ranch in eastern Contra Costa County. Mr. Williamson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Shannon, who died in 1907. To this union were born seven children-Nellie (wife of Joseph Lynch, of San Francisco), William, John C., Aubry, Mabel, Frances, and Leslie. Aubry has the distinction of being one of twenty-four boys in California to receive a prize from the State Agricultural College at Davis for the best acre of corn grown. Aubry raised on one acre of his father's ranch ninety-eight and a half bushels of corn, winning a trip throughout the United States, with all expenses paid by the Davis Agricultural School. Mr. Williamson has five hundred and forty acres in one ranch, and twenty-four in another. After an arduous effort, he has brought his ranch land into condition for profitable crops. He carries on general farming. Politically, Mr. Willamson is a Democrat. He has served on the local school board for twenty-six
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years. He is also a director of the First National Bank of Antioch. Frater- nally, he is a member of the Masonic lodge of Brentwood, the I. O. O. F. of Antioch for the past twenty-five years, and the Maccabees lodge. He is always ready and can be relied upon to promote public-spirited plans and projects, and it has been his aim to promote the good-roads movement in the county.
JOSEPH G. PREWETT .- A man of progressive and enterprising ideas and methods, Joseph G. Prewett has made a success of his chosen occupa- ton since coming to Contra Costa County. He is a prominent member of the agricultural community, and has brought about his success by application and industry. He was born in Illinois on August 7, 1861. His parents re- moved to Missouri when he was quite young, and he received his education in the district schools of that State. Laying aside his books, he worked out for a time at farming, after which he found employment in the mines at Joplin, Missouri, for two years. In 1884, he came to California, landing here on June 22d. He rented land in 1885, which he improved and cultivated for some years, and the first place he purchased was a large portion of the P. O'Brien homestead, consisting of two hundred and seventy acres. He has constantly added to his holdings until he now owns fifteen hundred and seventy acres. His attention is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Prewett was united in marraige to Miss Ellen O'Brien on November 13, 1899. Their children are three-Edward, born March 16, 1891; Raymond, born May 19, 1897; Harold, born June 13, 1904. Politically, Mr. Prewett is affiliated with the Democratic party. He has served for some years on the high-school board at Brentwood, and is a member of the Lone Tree school board. He is vice-president of the First National Bank of Antioch and a director. He is president of the Antioch Warehouse Association, and presi- dent of the Oakley Horse Breeders' Association and the Brentwood Horse Breeders' Association. He also serves as president of the Lone Tree Tele- phone Company, a new line among the agriculturists in eastern Contra Costa County. Mr. Prewett has recently erected one of the most imposing residences in the county. He has taken a prominent place among the good- roads advocates of the county and has done much to further that interest by giving his excellent views. He has done much in the promotion of every worthy cause that will be of a material benefit to eastern Contra Costa County.
FRANK W. FOSKETT .- One of the most able, progressive and enterpris- ing business men in public life in Contra Costa County is Frank W. Foskett, president of the First National Bank of Concord. It has often been said that the banks of a community are a fair index of its commercial, industrial, and financial prosperity. Especially is this true of the First National Bank of Concord, which dates its origin from March, 1911. The institution was
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founded on a policy of progressiveness and conservatism, and this has been adhered to steadily, the result being seen in the excellent condition of the bank, which is today one of the leading financial enterprises in the county. Frank W. Foskett was born in Franklin County, Massachusetts, November 21, 1859. He is a son of John and Nancy (Stone) Foskett. His father was a native of Massachusets, while his mother was born in New Hampshire. Mr. Foskett was educated in the public schools of Massachusetts. At an early age he came to Pittsburg, California, where he engaged in the butcher busi- ness with Mr. Elworthy. In 1885 the firm removed to Concord, and in Sep- tember of that year purchased the store of William Hawes, and operated stores in Pittsburg and Concord, and in 19II the firm purchased the store of Arthur Williams, of Walnut Creek, making a chain of three stores which was successfully operated by the firm. Also the firm held large land inter- ests, and in 1911 they disposed of four thousand acres to the R. N. Burgess Company, at that time selling the wholesale and retal meat business. The firm of Foskett & Elworthy displayed sound judgment in the management of their business interests, and through their persistence of purpose won gratifying success in the business and financial world. The firm erected the finest business block and bank building in Concord, which would be a credit to the larger cities of the Bay region. Mr. Foskett has served as trustee on the grammar-school and high-school boards, and gives his political support to the Republican party. He has served as treasurer of the town since it started. He was united in marriage to Alice L. Duncalf, a native of Canada, September 16, 1885. To this union have been born four children-Clifford John, Ethel Mae, Walter William, and Raymond Albert. Mr. Foskett is re- garded as a reliable, far-sighted, and progressive business man. He has been a leading factor in the development and upbuilding of the town of Concord. He has one of the most imposing residences in the county, which is an evi- dence of the excellent results which he has achieved in a financial way.
HENRY A. NELSON .- Among the Native Sons of California, pominent mention shoud be made of Henry A. Nelson, postmaster at Oakley. He was born in Stockton December 13, 1874, the son of Henry A. and Ellen (Crane) Nelson. His father was a native of New Hampshire, while his mother was born in Vermont. His father passed away in 1898, and his mother died in October, 1914. When Henry A. Nelson was but five years of age his par- ents removed to and located in Berkeley, where Henry A. received his edu- cation in the public and high schools of that place. Finishing his education, he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Company, and was identi- fied with the train service for a period of seven years. In 1902 he went to Mexico, where he followed mining engineering for over four years. He located in Oakley in 1907, and followed ranching for four years. During President Taft's administration he was appointed postmaster at Oakley, and again received the same office under Wilson's administration. The leading
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factor in the success of Mr. Nelson's holding office is faithfulness, integrity, and strict attention to details, and he has won for himself a reputation for business ability. Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Lucy E. Holden, a native of San Francisco, March 29, 1896. To this union there have been three children-Jessie Viola, died at the age of four, in Mexico; Roland P., born February 19, 1906; Marion E., born March 3, 1909. Mrs. Nelson passed away on May 26, 1916. Her death was mourned by a wide circle of friends. Fraternally, Mr. Nelson is associated with the Masonic lodge of Brentwood and holds membership in the I. D. E. S. He has six and a half acres of land adjoining the town of Oakley.
ANDREW WALKER, deceased, was numbered throughout the eastern part of Contra Costa County as a pioneer of staunch and enterprising spirit, and one who gave no little of a useful life to the upbuilding of the best in- terests of his adopted locality. He was born in Scotland, December 29, 1832, the second son, and at an early age went to sea, which vocation he followed some years and made several trips around the world. He was comparatively young when he decided to cast his lot with the Golden State and located in San Francisco. He worked for Moore & Folger, wholesale merchants, for some time, after which he engaged with the Russian Consul in the whole- sale and retail grocery business. Previous to this time Mr. Walker opened a hay and grain business for a time. While engaged in the grocery trade Mr. Walker made two trips to St. Petersburg. He sailed from San Francisco, stopped at the Sandwich Islands, went to Japan, crossed the Ural Moun- tains, and thence via Siberia into St. Petersburg. In 1868 Mr. Walker dis- posed of his business in San Francisco. Previous to selling out his business in San Francisco he purchased a ranch four miles from Berkeley, known as the San Pablo Creek ranch, and in 1873 he purchased four hundred acres in the swamp where Oakley is located. This place was very difficult to clear, as it was all chaparral. He was successful beyond the expectations of all his friends, and cleared the land and raised large crops of grain, alfalfa, and hay. He increased his holdings, and in 1887 he purchased the Babbe ranch of two hundred acres. In January, 1893, he disposed of the latter place. He purchased the Foreman place of seven hundred acres, and in 1887 sold to B. F. Porter, of San Francisco. Mr. Walker continued to run the four-hun- dred-acre ranch until November, 1905, when he disposed of his holdings to the California Canners' Association. Mr. Walker was married to Rhobe Anna Andrews, a native of Clinton, Louisiana, a daughter of Judge Thomas L. Andrews. To this union were born four children-Harriet M., wife of Henry Farnum (deceased), whose son, Lancelot, is station agent at Fel- lows, California; Robert Richmond Walker, who died in 1864; Arthur Merrill Walker, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and died in 1869; Andrew Lathrop Walker, an orchardist of Oakley. Andrew Walker gave his political support to the Republican party. His death occurred on January 15, 1906.
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CLAUDE R. LEECH, M. D .- Noteworthy among the able and skillful physicians of Contra Costa County is Doctor Claude R. Leech, who during his twenty years of residence in Walnut Creek has built up an excellent practice. He was born in Pennsylvania, September 8, 1868, his parents being Thomas and Margaret (Reznor) Leech. Doctor Leech's father was one of the representative agriculturists in his locality, and his death occurred in 1884. His mother died in 1906. There were seven children born in the par- ents' family. At the age of seventeen, Dr. Leech came to California. He ac- quired his education in the public and high schools of Oakland, after which he attended the University of California and the Cooper Medical Institute, graduating from the medical class of the latter in 1894. In 1895 he began the practice of his profession in Oakland with gratifying success. In 1897 he re- moved to Walnut Creek, where he has since remained. Doctor Leech is a stalwart Republican. He has served on the Walnut Creek school board for a number of years. He is health officer in Walnut Creek, holding this office for some years. His study and research work has been a decided help to humanity in the prevention of disease in this locality. He is a member of the county and State medical societies. On February 9, 1896, Doctor Leech was united in marriage to Miss Eva Berry, a native of Minnesota. Fraternally, Doctor Leech is a member of the Masonic lodge of Walnut Creek and is loyal to its teachings, which he exemplifies in his life. In matters of citizen- ship he manifests a progressive and public-spirited interest. His profes- sional duties are constantly growing in volume and importance. Mrs. Leech is an active member of the Eastern Star.
BRUCE W. STONE is a well-known and successful agriculturist of Contra Costa County. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, December 14, 1840. He is a son of John and Matilda Stone. Both are natives of New England. His father was a successful contractor and builder, after which he followed farming and resided at Portage, Michigan. Mr. Stone's father came to Cali- fornia in 1865 and located in Green Valley with his son-in-law, William Z. Stone. Mr. Stone's father died in Green Valley in 1866, and was buried in the Alhambra Cemetery. Mr. Stone's mother died in 1870, and was buried in the same cemetery. Bruce W. Stone acquired his education in Michigan. At the age of twenty he came to California and followed mining until 1869, when he bought two hundred and nineteen acres of land in Green Valley, Contra Costa County. He has since been identified with the farming and stock interests of the county. Mr. Stone was one of the first to go to Alaska, and has the distinction of raising the first American flag at Sitka, where he was identified with the quartermaster's department. Mr. Stone was in the Government service, and was sent to Alaska to take possession of Alaska, which was transferred by Russia. Sitka was the capital at that time, and Mr. Stone spent two years in that country. Previous to going to Alaska he went to Central America and followed mining. He was shipwrecked on the
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Alaskan Coast, at Cook's Inlet, and was compelled to live with the Indians for a period of three months, and during this time never saw a white man. Mr. Stone was married on September 20, 1875, to Lydia M. Lattimore, a na- tive of Ohio. He then removed to Illinois and Michigan, and later came to California. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have two adopted sons, Ben W., a resident of Niles, and Arthur F., who resides at Richmond. Mr. Stone has cast his vote in Contra Costa County since 1860. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are affiliated with the Rebekah lodge. Mr. Stone was the instigator and worked hard for the Danville Fraternal and Social Hall Association, and has served as president since its organi- zation. The building cost ten thousand dollars, and the Odd Fellows and the Grange are equal owners in this modern building. Mr. Stone disposed of his ranch holdings in 1912, and has since retired. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are held in highest regard in Contra Costa County, and they have won the trust and good-will of all by reason of their pleasant personalities.
FRANK STEVENS COOK, M. D., who has been actively engaged in prac- tice as physician and surgeon at Brentwood, Contra Costa County, for the past eleven years, is an able and representative member of the medical pro- fession. He was born in Walla Walla, Washington, July 22, 1865. He was educated in the public schools of that place and received his high-school work in Prescott, Arizona, where his parents removed in 1876. He gradu- ated from the medical department of the University of California with the class of 1887, following which he spent one year in the City and County Hospital of San Francisco as house physician and surgeon. Locating in San Francisco, he followed his profession until the summer of 1898, when he re- moved to Crockett, this county, where he spent two years, when he accepted an appointment with a large mining and smelting company in Durango, Mexico, spending four years in that country. During an epidemic of bubonic plague the Mexican Government called upon him for his services, the work being so strenuous that his health failed, compelling his return to California, where he spent some time in the mountains of Madera County recuperat- ing, after which he returned to San Francisco and resumed practice in 1905. He passed through the earthquake and conflagration of that city in 1906, where with one other doctor (Armisted) he had charge of the refugee camp at the foot of Third Street. His work in the hygienizing of the camp of five thousand received commendable mention from Colonel Toner of the United States Army. He is a member of the Contra Costa County Medical Society, and also of the Medical Society of the State of California. He is a member of several fraternal orders, Masonic, I. O. O. F., K. of P., W. O. W., and F. O. E. In politics he is a Republican and takes an active interest in the party.
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