USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 56
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has the original drawing of the Burness coat of arms in his possession, which he values very highly; the drawing was made April 26, 1869.
WILLIAM A. FOTHERINGHAM, who resides in eastern Contra Costa County, has attained a prominent place among the agriculturists of his neigh- borhood. He was born in Buffalo, New York, August 13, 1857, son of Alex- ander D. and Mary (McDonnell) Fotheringham, both deceased. His parents removed to Canada, where William was reared to manhood. His father was a native of England, while his mother was born in Canada; she died when William was but four years of age. He made his home with his grandmother, and acquired his education in the public schools. He followed farming, and in 1877 he came to California and located near Byron, where he found em- ployment and acted as foreman for a large land corporation for a period of seven years. He then purchased the Byron ranch near Byron, consisting of two hundred acres, which he has always devoted to general farming and stock-raising. On August 2, 1882, Mr. Fotheringham was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Alexander, a native of East Kilbride, near Glasgow, Scot- land. daughter of Captain John Alexander, who lost his life at sea. To this union have been born six children-John Alexander, who resides in San Francisco; Jean, wife of William Redman of Stockton; Mabel Elizabeth, wife of John Bankson, identified with the Redwood Manufacturing Company of Pittsburg, California; Lillian A. and Ellen A., both residing at home; Wil- liam Byron, who assists on the home place. Politically, Mr. Fotheringham is an adherent of the principles advanced in the platform of the Republican party. He has served as school trustee for many years in his section. He is connected fraternally with the I. O. O. F. of Byron and the Woodmen of the World. He makes his home on the William Gilchrist ranch. Mrs. Fothering- ham's mother was twice married. The second union was to William Gilchrist, a native of Scotland, who settled in Contra Costa County in 1851, and pur- chased three hundred and twenty acres of land, carrying on general farming and stock-raising and set out a thirty-acre orchard, principally of almonds. He retired and made his home in Pacific Grove up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1915. His wife still resides in Pacific Grove.
JAMES ROST VAN TONNINGEN .- Although but a few years have passed since locating in this county. James R. Van Tonningen successfully established himself as one of the representative men and has made many friends in a business way who esteem him for his business ability and per- sonal characteristics. He is a native of Holland, and was born December 29, 1880, the son of Marinus and Helena Van Tonningen, both natives of Hol- land. His father was manager of a Dutch syndicate having timber and agri- cultural lands near Riga, Russia. In his infancy his family removed to Rus- sia, where James partially acquired his education. When he was ten years old, his parents returned to their native land, and here James received a
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year's schooling. In 1896 the family came to America and located in Santa Cruz County, at Aptos, where the father purchased twenty-five acres, which is devoted to horticulture. Marinus Van Tonningen is considered one of the best authorities in his section on fruit-growing, as he has made it a study for years. In the parents' family there are three children-Johanna, wife of Henry Jansse, of Brentwood; Agnes, wife of Cornelius Van Kaath- oven, of Oakley; and James, subject of this review. James R. Van Tonningen completed his education in the public schools of Santa Cruz. After finishing his education he assisted on his father's place until 1907, when he engaged with the California Fruit Canners' Association, which is now the California Packing Corporation. For six years he did all sorts of manual labor, and three years ago was given the management of 1060 acres at Oakley. His success and recognized familiarity with the asparagus industry led to his promotion. He was married to Miss Muriel Bligh, January 22, 1914. She was a native of England.
ARNOLD VAN KAATHOVEN, a well-known and prosperous merchant of Oakley, Contra Costa County, was born in Holland, November 16, 1872. He acquired his education in the public schools of his native land. He is a son of Cornelius Van Kaathoven, deceased, at one time among the promi- nent physicians in his locality in the old country. His mother, Adriana Van Kaathoven, is now residing at Seabright, near Santa Cruz. Arnold Van Kaathoven, the subject of this review, came to America in 1889 and located in San Jose, where he was favorably known. While a resident of San Jose he was identified with the fruit interests of that locality for fifteen years. In 1909 he removed to Oakley and purchased the general store of J. S. O'Meara. Mr. Van Kaathoven has greatly enlarged his store, and his brother Cornelius is identified with the concern. It is now known as the East Contra Costa Mercantile Company. Arnold Van Kaathoven was united in marriage with Gertrude Keet, a native of Canada, July 20, 1910. Since starting out in life Mr. Van Kaathoven has worked his way upward by hard work and persistent effort, and whatever success he has achieved is the direct reward of his labors. He is well known in business circles, and is considered one of the leading business men of his locality.
ELISHA W. ROBBINS .- Among the well-known residents of eastern Contra Costa County none is better and more favorably known than Elisha W. Robbins. He is a native of Watertown, Massachusetts, and his birth occurred on December 30, 1858. He is a son of James and Anne (Winter) Robbins, the parents of eleven children. Mr. Robbins' parents removed to Wisconsin, where Elisha acquired a common-school education. His father was a miller by trade, owning and operating a mill at Madison, Wisconsin, for many years. The subject of this review came to California twice before making his home here. He farmed in Colorado before coming to this county
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and he now owns and operates twenty-one acres, which is all set out to al- monds, apricots, and peaches. Mr. Robbins' sister Lois also makes her home here and has many friends in this locality. Politically, Mr. Robbins is inde- pendent. He has brought his place up to a high state of cultivation and is numbered as one of the representative men in eastern Contra Costa County.
ORLANDO C. PREWETT .- The name which heads this review is one of the well-known men of eastern Contra Costa County. He is an enterprising, progressive, and up-to-date farmer, a public-spirited citizen, and a promi- nent factor in the development of this section. He was born in Marion County, Illinois, September 7, 1864, the son of Grafton and Emma Prewett. Orlando at the age of five years removed with his parents to Missouri, where his father farmed. In 1891 the family came to California and located near Brentwood. Orlando rented the Emerson place for sixteen years, and then bought his present farm of two hundred and forty acres. He also owns three hundred and six acres of range land, and has always been identified with stock-raising. Mr. Prewett was married to Rebecca Williamson, a na- tive of Missouri, November 22, 1891. Mrs. Prewett's father died February 12, 1870, and her mother passed away January 13, 1917, in Missouri. She was born in 1837. Mr. Prewett's father died on February 12, 1902, and his mother passed away November II, 1912. Orlando C. Prewett gives his political al- legiance to the Democratic party. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Ma- sonic lodge of Brentwood. He also holds membership with the I. O. O.F. lodge of Antioch. He has served on the school board in the Iron House district for some years and shows deep interest in educational matters. He is in every way a representative citizen of his section.
REUBEN LE MOIN is one of the energetic and representative men of Contra Costa County. He has by hard work and good judgment made a financial success. He was born in De Kalb County, Illinois, April 1, 1858, a son of L. E. and Anna (Flick) Le Moin. His mother was of German birth. Mr. Le Moin's parents have the distinction of coming to California on the first train that crossed the continent. The parents came west owing to the father's health. His death occurred in his forty-eighth year, and the mother passed away in Brentwood. Reuben Le Moin acquired his schooling in the Eden Plain school. Early in life he began ranching and worked out. Twenty- one years ago he bought eight acres and set it out to almonds. Later he purchased one hundred and sixty-six acres, and engaged in general farming and dairy business. At the present time he has ten acres of walnuts. Mr. Le Moin was married to Abba Chilson in 1888. Their three children are Bertha, wife of C. H. French, of Brentwood; Irene Floy, wife of Ralph Olsen, of Oakland; and Everett, who is identified with the Jackson Iron Works of Oakland. In politics Mr. Le Moin is a Republican. He has served on the school board of Brentwood for some years past. His experience and
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ability have made him well known and greatly respected. Mr. Le Moin also owns valuable business property in Brentwood.
JACOB JACOBSEN, one of the well-known and respected ranchers of eastern Contra Costa County, was born in Germany, November 19, 1862. He - came to America in 1884 and located in Elgin, Illinois. Here he found em- ployment at dairying and remained nearly two years. He came to the Pa- cific Coast and remained in San Francisco a short time. He then found work at ranching in San Mateo and remained here several months; then he came to this county in 1886 and ranched. Mr. Jacobsen now rents five hun- dred acres of what is known as the Sanford Ranch. Here he carries on gen- eral farming. Mr. Jacobsen was twice married. At the age of twenty-nine he married Miss Maggie Gibson, and to this union was born one daughter, who died in infancy. The second marriage was to Mabel Olsen, October 30, 1900, and to this union were born Burnett, Gladys, Howard, and Donald. Mr. Jacobsen is a member of the Maccabees. The family is well known in their locality and have a host of warm friends. Mr. Jacobsen has always followed ranching and he has the ability to operate large tracts of land. He is honorable, upright, and public-spirited, and does much to benefit the community in which he lives.
PETER OLSEN, one of the well-known and representative men of eastern Contra Costa County, was born July 8, 1849, in Sonderburg, Denmark. He received his education in the old country and learned the brickmaking trade, which he followed for seven years in his native land. At the age of twenty- one he came to America and settled in Nebraska, where he found employ- ment, and in 1871 he removed to Carbon County, Wyoming, where he fol- lowed mining. He then went to Utah, where he worked in the silver mines for a period of two years, when he returned to Wyoming and followed min- ing, and later assisted in the construction of a large stone building and barns for the Wyoming Coal Company. He then went on a cattle ranch for two years. At this time the Indians were hostile in his section, and Mr. Olsen relates many narrow escapes from the red men where he was work- ing. In 1874 he came to California and located in Antioch, where he became identified with the coal mines. In 1879 he purchased two hundred and forty acres in the Black Hills, where he engaged in the cattle and wood business for seven years. In 1885 he removed to Marsh Creek and rented a half-sec- tion and followed general farming. Later he purchased a lease and operated two hundred and ninety acres for twelve years. In 1912 he settled in Brent- wood. Mr. Olsen was married on July 28, 1878, to Mary E. Nathan, a daugh- ter of Daniel Nathan, who came to California via Cape Horn, and settled in Antioch, where he died thirty-five years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Olsen have been born four children-Mabel Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Jacobsen, of Brent- wood; Edward James, engaged in the grocery business in Oakland; Ralph,
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who is bookkeeper for R. W. Kinney, of Oakland; and Cecil, who died at the age of four years. Mr. Olson is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and Rebekah lodges of Byron.
IRVING R. BAILEY, D. D. S .- Prominent among the representatives of the dental profession in Contra Costa County is Doctor Irving R. Bailey, of Brentwood. He was born April 3, 1881, and is the son of Angelo A. Bailey, a former superintendent of schools of Contra Costa County, who died July 6, 1907. Angelo A. Bailey was born on June 25, 1844, in Walworth County, Wisconsin. At the age of twenty-one he left home. He found em- ployment in the forests of his native State. Later he came west and located in Denver. He engaged in the sheep business for a time, and then came to Santa Cruz County, California. Here he taught school, and in 1877 he re- moved to this county and was made principal of the Antioch schools for a period of three years. He was made county superintendent of schools in 1879. He was married in Richmond, Illinois, March 23, 1871, to Lottie Tib- betts, a native of that State. He served in the customs service, and was lo- cated in San Francisco and Port Costa. Leaving the Government employ, he became principal of the Martinez schools. He was elected county clerk of Contra Costa County and served two years. He served as principal of the Concord schools for several years. Irving R. Bailey, the subject of this review acquired his education in the public schools of Martinez and the University of California, graduating in dentistry in 1903. He began practice in Pinole, where he remained until the fall of 1912, and owing to his health the Doctor gave up his profession and purchased a twenty-acre walnut or- chard at Oakley. He has recently resumed his practice at Brentwood, where he enjoys a broad acquaintance. Doctor Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Lois Sherman, June 16, 1906. To this union there have been three children-Angelo Grosvenor, born June 26, 1907; Emily Edith, born April 24, 1910; and Robert Sherman, born August 7, 1916. The parents of Doctor Bailey had seven children-Mabel R., born May 10, 1873, died 1901; Effie L., residing in Berkeley; Mark G. Bailey, D. D. S., of Stockton; Edith, a school-teacher of Berkeley; Lloyd E., an agriculturist; Percy S., died in infancy; Angele H., residing in Berkeley; and the subject of this sketch. Doctor Bailey has reached a creditable place along his chosen profession, and both he and his wife have won an extensive circle of warm friends in eastern Contra Costa County.
HERCULES LOGAN .- Among the foremost contractors and builders of Contra Costa County is to be numbered Hercules Logan. He is a native of Scotland, and was born April 26, 1875, son of John and Christina (Watt) Logan. The subject of this review received his education in the old country. In 1903 he came to America and located in New York State for a short time. He then came to California and went to Eureka, Humboldt County, where
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his brother Adolph has resided for twenty-five years, and has always fol- lowed the merchant-tailoring business. Hercules learned the carpenter and building trade in the old country and readily found employment in Eureka; he assisted on the city hall. He then removed to San Francisco and worked on the German hospital and later on Government work on Angel Island, and was identified with other large projects. In 1906, immediately after the fire, he erected the new building for Heald's Business College, at McAllister and Polk streets. In 1912 he removed to Brentwood and acted as superin- tendant on the Hotel Brentwood, the Bank of Brentwood, and the palatial home of the superintendent of Balfour, Guthrie & Company. He has been superintendent during construction for many of the best homes in this sec- tion. Fraternally, Mr. Logan is a member of the Masonic lodge of Brent- wood. He was married to Ethel Jane Brangwin, a native of England, July 10, 1900. To this union there have been five children-John, born in Man- chester, England, May 17, 1901; Hercules, born in Glasgow, Scotland, No- vember 10, 1903; Adolphus, born in Dunoon, Scotland, March 8, 1904; Ethel, born in San Francisco, May 30, 1911; and Mabel, born in San Francisco, June 8, 1912. The parents of Mr. Logan reside in Alameda with his two sis- ters, Christina and Mary. The latter specializes in stage dancing. Since re- siding in Brentwood Mr. and Mrs. Logan have made a host of friends and have won the respect and good-will of all who know them.
PAUL F. BUCHOLTZ .- Among the most prominent and progressive busi- ness men of Brentwood is numbered Paul F. Bucholtz. He is a native of Contra Costa County, and was born in Byron, September 30, 1886, son of Rudolph F., who was born in Berlin, Germany, and died in 1895. When a mere lad Mr. Bucholtz's father came to this country with his father and settled on a place between Byron and Bethany, where his father worked for a time. He married, and then leased land which he operated for some years. He contemplated purchasing the land he rented at the time of his death, which occurred August 22, 1905. The mother of Paul F., Martha (Shafer) Bucholtz, was born in Germany. She came to this country with her parents and located in Stockton. In the parents' family there were three sons and one daughter. William, who is connected with Paul F. in the meat mar- ket at Brentwood, married Elva Pamberton, of Brentwood. They have one daughter, Helen. Paul F., the second son and subject of this sketch, re- ceived his education in the public schools of Byron. At the age of fourteen, he started the butcher business with A. Alexson. He worked for Mr. Alex- son for six years and then removed to Mantel, San Joaquin County, where he followed his trade for four years. At the age of twenty-four he removed to Brentwood, where he engaged in business with his brother Rudolph. Since engaging in business they have made steady progress, and today they have one of the most modern meat markets in Contra Costa County. Ru- dolph F., a partner in the meat business, was born February 7, 1882, and
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married Miss Maud Elizabeth Duncan, of Manteca, in 1909. They have two children, Violet and Frank R., Jr. The sister, Annie, is now the wife of Robert Duncan, and was married in 1910. Their daughter is Annie. Paul F. and Rudolph F. are both members of the I. O. O. F. of Byron and the Ma- sonic lodge of Brentwood, the Eastern Star, and the Woodmen of the World. The mother passed away April 1, 1916, at the age of sixty-one years. The firm of Bucholtz Brothers has achieved success and it has been gained by honorable methods and upright business dealings.
GEORGE SELLERS .- Conspicuous among the extensive and successful fruit-growers of eastern Contra Costa County is George Sellers, the owner of one of the finest orchards and one of the most attractive homes to be found in the county. A man of keen intelligence and superior business at- tainments, he has been actively identified with the horticultural interests of this part of the county for years. Mr. Sellers was born in Fruitvale, March I, 1854. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Abbott) Sellers. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother was born in New York State. The grandfather of Mr. Sellers was one of the pioneers of the Bay section and named the town of Fruitvale. Both parents of Mr. Sellers came to Califor- nia via Cape Horn. His father followed mining in Mariposa and other coun- ties. In 1860 he removed to eastern Contra Costa County, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the choicest land in that locality, which he successfully operated until the time of his death, which occurred in 1900. Mrs. Sellers passed away about twenty years ago. George Sellers, the sub- ject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of Oakland, after which he returned to the home place, where he has always remained. He was united in marriage to Adaline Buckley, of Alameda County, April 8, 1872. To this union have been born three children-Henry Abbott, Edwin Buckley, and Edith, wife of H. L. French, who is identified with the Salinas high schools as a teacher. Henry A. is associated with the Hotchkiss dairy of eastern Contra Costa County, as superintendent. Edwin Buckley has the management of the home ranch adjoining his father's place. George Sellers is a stanch Republican, and has been active along party lines. He has served for five years as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Veale. He has also served on the local school board. Mr. Sellers' magnificent orchard is devoted to the raising of walnuts, apricots, and general fruit-growing. He has also been actively engaged in the real estate business as well as general farming. He is identified with the good-roads movement. Mr. Sellers is highly respected by all in his locality.
LEWIS RISDON MEAD .- Among the many brilliant, able, and resource- ful men who gained positions of distinction in the Bay cities was Lewis Risdon Mead, now deceased. The record of his career is the record of wor- thy and upright living, of strict adherence to a high personal standard, of
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talents and powers well used for worthy ends. These things need not be re- peated to the readers of a history of this section of California, for Mr. Mead was one of Contra Costa County's most progressive and successful business men, and his name had been known and honored here for many years. Lewis Risdon Mead was born on September 7, 1847, at Saline, Michigan. His par- ents were Silas and Harriett Risdon Mead. In the parents' family there were two children-William, an agriculturist, who resides on the home place at Saline, Michigan, and the subject of this review. Lewis and William, when young men, went to New Orleans, and in 1863 Lewis came to California via the Isthmus route to be with his uncle, John Risdon, who originally started the iron works then known as Risdon & Coffey. The concern remained as such for some years, when it became the property of Mr. Risdon and was familiarly known as the Risdon Iron Works. The Risdon Iron Works con- tinued until 1914, when it was sold. Mr. Mead was identified with the concern for many years, and held the important position of secretary and auditor until 1907, when he severed his connection with the concern, and took up his residence in Byron Hot Springs, located at the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley. In 1865 Orange Risdon and Lewis Risdon Mead took up two hundred acres from the United States Government, now known as the By- ron Hot Springs. The land was patented and patent papers were received later in that year. The springs on this historic spot have been famous ever since the aboriginal days. The Indians came here; the wild animals knew it, and well they used the healing waters of the bubbling springs. Mr. Mead bought out Mr. Risdon's interests and took the active management of the springs, and ran it up to the time of his death. The first building was erected in 1865. A fill of ten to twelve feet was necessary in order to make a garden and plant shrubbery and trees, owing to the fact that the land where the hotel and cottages are located was a vast lava bed. The first large hotel, costing $50,000, was destroyed by fire in 1901; in 1902 a new hotel of Moorish design was erected by Reid Brothers, of San Francisco, at a cost of $150,- 000. This magnificent structure was destroyed by fire in 1912. Mr. Mead had a difficult time with the insurance companies, but won the fight, which was in litigation for some time, and in 1914 he gave a contract to Reid Brothers again to erect a strictly fire-proof building on the site of the other hotel, at a cost of $100,000. Lewis Risdon Mead was a broad-minded man, liberal in thought and honorable in purpose. His life was fruitful of good results, not only in the attainment of success, but in his support of progressive public measures which are of benefit to the community. He served as a regent of the University of California. He was the founder of Brooklyn Lodge No. 225, F. & A. M., of Oakland. He was a member of Islam Temple and the Mystic Shrine. He was president of the Mechanics' Institute of San Fran- cisco for many years. Mr. Mead was twice married. The first union was in 1873, to Blanche Durant, who died in 1905. There was one son, Louis Durant Mead, born March 31, 1875; he married Miss Charlotte Lanneau, of New
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York City, in 1905. They have one daughter, Blanche, born June 22, 1910, in San Francisco, California. The second marriage of Lewis Risdon Mead oc- curred on June 19, 1907, to Miss Mae Sadler, daughter of Charles M. Sadler, one of the representative business men of San Francisco, and senior mem- ber of the firm of Sadler & Co. At the time of the San Francisco fire Miss Sadler was in Europe completing her studies and returned to her home in San Francisco; the following year she was united in marriage. The present hotel at Byron Hot Springs was planned by Mr. and Mrs. Mead, and is truly a monument to Mr. Mead. After the second fire, wells were sunk at the river, two miles away, and connected with water pipes all over the grounds and in the hotel and cottages for fire protection. Mr. Mead's politi- cal belief was with the Republican party, and he was one of the most con- scientious type of public men, ever holding to his ideals and principles with- out swerving. He served on the grand jury, and was called upon at various times to serve on the Republican county and other committees. Hs was not only a very patriotic American, but an ultra-loyal Californian. Mr. Mead passed away on June 13, 1916, and his death was sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends all over California and in the East. Mrs. Mead will erect a memorial over the original hot salt springs in memory of her husband, who will always be remembered among the most honored and eminent residents of Contra Costa County.
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