USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 57
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GUIDO TODARO .- Among the strong financial institutions of this county is the Contra Costa County Bank, of Pittsburg, and among the bankers of prominence in the county is Guido Todaro, who, as cashier, has done much toward the upbuilding of this financial institution. His banking experience extends over many years and he has traveled extensively. He is a native of Venice, and received his education in his native land. After finishing his schooling he went to Calcutta, India, where he remained three years, and be- came identified with the large banking firm of Crédit Lyonnais, of Calcutta, where his ability was recognized. In 1897 he came to San Francisco via the Orient. Mr. Todaro associated himself with the Justinian Caire Company of San Francisco for a period of two years. He was then employed with the Italian American Bank of San Francisco for five years, after which he ac- cepted a call to this county, where he is connected with the Contra Costa County Bank. Mr. Todaro is a careful and painstaking banker, and he is readily conceded to be one of the most able and best-informed men in the county along banking lines. He holds the important position of cashier and manager of his bank. Mr. Todaro was united in marriage to Miss Rose Wil- liams, a native of Sonoma County, California, August 20, 1904. To this union there have been two children-Guido, born May 18, 1907, and Marie, born October 24, 1910. The family are members of the Catholic church. Political- ly, Mr. Todaro is affiliated with the Republican party, but he has never as- pired to office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the -
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Eagles of Pittsburg. While his duties largely confine him to his bank, Mr. Todaro is ever ready to join in public movements for the extension of trade or betterment of conditions. He enjoys the esteem and respect of his col- leagues and the general public, and by his personality he has done much to- ward upholding the prestige which his bank enjoys. Mr. Todaro is a stock- holder in his bank, as well as in the Contra Costa County Gas Company.
DAVID ISRAEL .- One of the most able, progressive, and enterprising business men of Contra Costa County is David Israel, of Pittsburg. He was born in New York City on November 29, 1874, a son of Meyer and Henri- etta Israel. His parents were both natives of Alsace-Lorraine. The subject of this review received his education in the Antioch and San Francisco pub- lic schools. Early in life he worked for L. Meyer & Company, of Antioch, for a period of ten years. He was also identified with other business houses in different parts of this State. These various positions called forth his ex- ecutive ability and his keen grasp of business details, and in matters under his charge he has clearly demonstrated his possession of these qualities, which have made his concern one of the favorably known business houses of Contra Costa County. In 1902, Mr. Israel started business in Pittsburg with B. Senderman, and he purchased the latter's interest in 1913. Politically, Mr. Israel is a Republican, but he has never aspired to public office. Frater- nally, he is affiliated with the Masonic order of Pittsburg; he also holds membership in the Foresters, Eagles, and other orders. He was united in marriage to Miss Amelie Senderman, a sister of his former partner, and a native of Contra Costa County, November 3, 1907. To this union have been born two children-Robert Senderman, born May 30, 1909, and Royce Wex- ford, born July 16, 1911. Mr. Israel stands today a forceful factor in the im- provement of business conditions of Pittsburg.
DIXON H. MACQUIDDY has been actively and successfully identified with the business interests of California as a contractor and builder since boyhood, and is recognized today as one of the foremost contractors and builders of the Bay cities. He was born in Traver, Kings County, California, March 19, 1887, a son of John T. MacQuiddy, a native of Missouri, and Paul- ine S. MacQuiddy, a native of Tennessee. Dixon H. MacQuiddy was edu- cated in the public and high schools of Hanford and Stockton. Finishing his schooling he went to Sonoma County, where he was identified with his father and where he learned his trade. In 1906 Mr. MacQuiddy moved to Concord, where he followed his trade, and erected many of the substantial buildings of that town. He erected the First Presbyterian Church, the Bacon block, and other fine buildings, as well as many of the finest homes in Con- cord. In November, 1914, he removed to Pittsburg, where he maintained an office as well as a branch office in Davis, California. Mr. MacQuiddy con- fines his operations largely to Solano and Contra Costa counties. In politics
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he is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Pacheco, and also of the Moose and Eagles. His children are Dixon Leroy, born in 1908, and Everett Merle, born in 1912. Mr. MacQuiddy has a partner, Mr. C. C. Bean, who has in charge the Davis office. Owing to their constantly increasing business, the firm has prospered with gratifying success, and has recently opened the M. & B. Paint & Building Material Company in Pitts- burg. Many of the most attractive buildings in Contra Costa and Solano counties testify to the ability and skill of Mr. MacQuiddy and his partner, and they are well entitled to a foremost place among the builders of Contra Costa County, for they are representative men and respected citizens.
JOSEPH LUCAS .- Scarcely a habitable section of California but has its toilers 'recruited from the sea - strong, weather-beaten men who have stepped from slippery decks after years before the mast, and have thereafter made homes and established industries in either town or country. The most interesting of this class are the old whalers, who still seem to carry around with them a breath of the sea-seasoned mariners, who at one time strained their eyes across the great expanse of waters for the sight of a spouting leviathan of the deep, and who dared all manner of danger that their ship might return to port heavily laden with oil. Joseph Lucas, who resides near Richmond, has many a tale to relate regarding his extensive whaling experi- ence, and because he had the traits to make a successful sailor and whaler may account for his energy and wise management. Mr. Lucas was eighteen years of age when he first shipped before the mast of a whaler, setting sail from the Azores Islands, where he was born on January 18, 1826. He sailed during three or four seasons in the Arctic and Japan seas, and in 1846 put into San Francisco harbor on the whaling ship "Magnet," together with other whaling vessels. This was during the Mexican War, and all were afraid to venture beyond the Golden Gate, as a Mexican war vessel was lying in wait for them. For a time he made his home in New Bedford, Massachu- setts. In 1850 he came around the Horn to San Francisco and was engaged on various pilot boats of this Bay. He served as quartermaster on the steamers "Winfield Scott," "Yankee Blade," "Sonora," and "Golden Gate." Later he spent a few years in the mines on the American River. In 1862-63 he worked as a stevedore in San Francisco, and in the fall of 1863 he located on forty acres now a part of the city of Richmond. Mr. Lucas purchased the farm in 1860. The property was involved in a disputed title, being a portion of the San Pablo grant, and for twenty-one years he was engaged in litigation. The ranch has since been cut up into town lots. In 1862 Mr. Lucas was united in marriage to Mary Prairo, who was born on the island of Nantucket, Massa- chusetts, and whose father, John Prairo, was a sailor by occupation. Taking a trip in 1849 to California, he mined along the American River. Successful beyond the average, his ambition proved larger that his opportunity, for he lost practically all he had in the world while promoting a scheme to dam the
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Sacramento River. Locating in San Francisco, Mr. Lucas engaged as a stevedore, and in 1862 came to the San Pablo grant, locating near Mr. Prai- ro. The similarity between the lives of Mr. Lucas and Mr. Prairo seemed quite remarkable, especially as both came from the same island, and chanced upon the same land occupations. Mr. Prairo died here the possessor of large landed estates, being survived a short time by his wife, Eunice (Colman) Prairo, who was a native of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lucas-Joseph, Mary (the wife of M. J. Keegan), John, Frank, and Henry. Mr. Lucas is a devout member of the Catholic church, and in politics is a Republican.
R. R. VEALE .- On the roster of county officials of Contra Costa County appears the name of R. R. Veale, who, following a period of efficient and capable service as sheriff, was elected to this important position in 1894, and has held this office since. He is a native of California, and was born in Sonoma County on March 27, 1864. His father was one of the well-known figures in early days in California. He came to this State via the Isthmus route in 1855, and engaged in stock-raising and agricultural pursuits on a small scale. In 1867 he removed to Contra Costa County and became prom- inently identified with the development of this locality. R. R. Veale acquired his early education in the public schools, after which he took up the vocation of farming on an extensive scale. He had the distinction of being the first farmer in the county to use modern and up-to-date methods, such as steam- plows and harvesters. He became identified in local and State politics, at- tended many State conventions, and served on the State Republican County Committee. In 1894 he was chosen by the people of Contra Costa County as sheriff, and he has since served in this office, discharging his duties in his usual efficient manner. As sheriff of the county, Mr. Veale has been con- nected with many prominent cases. He captured the criminal, Moore, who killed Kilroy at Nevada City. He also captured the criminal who stole over $300,000 of gold bullion from the Selby Smelting Company and hid it in the bay. He also captured the murderer, McFarland, who killed Garcia on Mount Diablo in 1908. Sheriff Veale originated the idea of the rock-pile for hoboes, which has been adopted by the sheriffs in many of the counties. He was one of the chief factors in gaining the State highway along the bay, which he obtained by inducing various corporations to build the road through their own property, or contribute largely to the building fund. Mr. Veale went to Washington, D. C., as a representative of the county to boost the Richmond harbor project. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights Templars, the Royal Arch Chapter, the Eastern Star, the Elks, the Odd Fellows, the Eagles, the Native Sons, the Woodmen, the Moose, the Red Men, U. P. E. C., the Knights of Pythias, the Rebekahs, and the Women of Woodcraft. He has served twenty years as secretary of the Sheriff's Association of Califor- nia, an organization, including the sheriffs of the various counties of the
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State, which meets annually to discuss matters of interest to the different sections, and to compare records and exchange ideas and to add generally to the efficiency of the sheriff's office. Sheriff Veale's continual re-election to office is the best proof of his acceptability to the people. His tireless efforts and conscientious work in behalf of progress and general improvement, par- ticularly in regard to the betterment of the roads and highways, has gained for him a reputation for well-directed activity in the county. Sheriff Veale was elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention held at Chicago in June, 1916. He was also chosen commissioner from Contra Costa County to the Panama-Pacific Exposition held in San Francisco. Mr. Veale was united in marriage to Mary E. Martin, of East Oakland, November II, 1883. To this union there are six children-Robert Howard, born May 18, 1885; William Minor, born September 10, 1887; Leila E., born January 13, 1890; Mortimer Belshaw, born November 18, 1893; Miriam Estelle, born April 21, 1897; Leola Rains, born March 22, 1899.
JOHN M. AUGUSTO .- A worthy representative of the type of citizen that has made California a great State is John M. Augusto, whose strong and earnest manhood, forceful character, business sagacity, and executive abil- ity have been given in the past few years toward the development of Oak- ley. His birth occurred in the Madeira Islands on September 29, 1872, the son of Lawrence and Mary Augusto. His father passed away in 1885, and his mother makes her home in San Leandro. John M. Augusto acquired his schooling in the St. Louis College of Honolulu, after which he learned the blacksmith trade with the Hawaiian Carriage Manufacturing Company. Here he remained for three years, and then became identified with the Oahu Railway Company of Hawaii, following his trade for two years. He then removed to San Francisco and followed the same vocation for a year. He afterward resided in Oakland, and was foreman for the California Jute Mills for some time, after which he spent five years in San Leandro, where he worked for John F. Hopper. On April 1, 1900, the town of Oakley was on the map and Mr. Augusto saw the possibilities in this new section, and he removed to this town and purchased the first business lot in the place. He immediately erected a blacksmith-shop, and has succeeded in building up a profitable business. Owing to the fertility of the soil, he purchased two ranches of ten acres each, and has all his land out to fruit and nuts, besides owning five valuable city lots. All through the changing years that have since elapsed since he came to Oakley he has had no desire to change his abiding-place. Today his orchards compare with the best in his locality. By his marriage to Ermina Fernandez Gonsalves on June 10, 1899, there are five children. Mrs. Augusto is a native of Honolulu, and a daughter of one of the highly respected families of the islands. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Augusto are George M., now in high school; Hazel, died in infancy; Martha G., Edward Lawrence, and Archibald, who died June 13, 1912. Hazel and Ed-
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ward were the first two children born in Oakley. Mr. Augusto is a member of the Masonic fraternity; he is also affiliated with the I. O. O. F. He has pro- duced results by hard work from a financial point of view. Starting in a small way, his business has increased until he now has over $8000 invested in machinery. Mr. Augusto is agent for the John Deere line of wagons, buggies, and farm machinery. He has the honor of being the oldest busi- ness man in Oakley. In his political views he is a Republican. He is an ad- vocate and loyal booster for good roads, and is interested in any movement for the betterment of conditions in Oakley and surrounding country.
HARRY ELLS, one of the progressive and representative citizens of Contra Costa County, was born in Canning, Nova Scotia, November 9, 1854, and is the fourth of the six sons and two daughters of William and Sarah (New- comb) Ells, farmers in Nova Scotia. As a boy Mr. Ells found the Nova Scotia farm altogether too small to supply the needs of the large family, and accordingly he located on a farm near Winchester, Massachusetts, in 1871, this slight progression opening up yet broader fields of activity, and placing him in touch with the Far West, to which he came during the sum- mer of 1874. Locating in Dutch Flat, he engaged in mining for himself and others, and after the incorporation of the Cedar Creek Mining Company, he became foreman under Colonel Ludman. Coming to Stege as assistant superintendent of the California Cap Company, he was advanced to the po- sition of superintendent in 1889, which position he held for several years. Mr. Ells branched out in various activities in the county. He became inter- ested in the real estate and insurance business, and is a director of the Bank of Richmond. An active and influential Republican, he has been postmaster at Stege for several years, and served for some years as president of the board of school directors of the Stege District. In 1902 he was elected to the State Assembly by a large majority from the twenty-second district, serving on the committee of roads and highways, fish and game, and as chairman of the committees on manufacturing and internal improvements. He was unanimously chosen as a candidate to succeed himself for the term of 1904, and his Democratic opponent, seeing nothing but defeat before him, with- drew from the contest, and Mr. Ells' election was assured. Mr. Ells was twice married, the first union being to Katie Seltzer in 1880. He was married in Sacramento, and his wife died at Dutch Flat one year after. The second marriage occurred on December 23, 1912, to Maybelle Perry Seavey, of Rich- mond. Mr. Ells is a member of Mckinley Lodge No. 347, F. & A. M., of which he is past master. He is also a member of Siloam Chapter No. 37, R. A. M., the Commandery of Oakland, and the Eastern Star.
LOUIS BRACKMAN .- The history of Contra Costa County would be in- complete were there failure to mention Louis Brackman, who resides near Martinez. He was born in Pinole on February II, 1863, a son of William and
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Anne Brackman. Both parents were natives of Germany. The father of our subject was one of the pioneers of California, crossing the plains in 1849, starting from St. Louis, and taking six months to make the trip. After reach- ing San Francisco he engaged in the cattle business. Later he took up farm- ing in Moraga Valley. He afterward moved to Pinole, where he followed ranching and stock-raising. The father died on March 7, 1898, when Louis was eighteen years of age, and his mother died on January 4, 1882. In the parents' family eight children were born. Frederick K., who died in February, 1915, was a rancher and lived near Muir Station. William resides near Con- cord. These are the only brothers of Louis Brackman who resided in this county of late years. Louis Brackman was educated in the public schools, after which he returned to the home ranch, where he remained until he was eighteen years of age. He then left home and found employment at ranching for a period of seven years, when he purchased his father's place in the Pinole Valley. Here he continued for a period of about sixteen years. He then bought a fruit-ranch near Muir Station, consisting of twelve acres. This he sold and removed to his present location, situated most ideally, and con- sisting of one hundred and thirty-eight acres. In politics Mr. Brackman is a Republican. He has served on the educational board in the various places he has lived with credit. He was married on August 20, 1895, to Miss Nellie Car- penter, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Carpenter. To this union there are three children-Velda Lorain, born October 17, 1900; Louis Clarence, born July 15, 1908; Alice Ruth, born August 1, 1910. The family attend the Con- gregational church. Mr. and Mrs. Brackman have an extensive acquaintance and a host of friends, and they have the esteem and confidence of all who know them.
FRANCIS FELIX NEFF, M. D., who has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Concord since 1890, was born in Williamsburg, Penn- sylvania, February 9, 1862, son of Captain William Lewis Neff, an officer in the Civil War, and one of the seventh generation of Neffs who resided in Pennsylvania. The mother of Doctor Neff was Arabella (Van Devander) Neff, and she passed away in 1873. The subject of this review acquired his education in the public schools, after which he attended the academy at Hol- lidaysburg, Pennsylvania, and the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, graduating from the latter in 1887. He began the practice of his profession at Groton, South Dakota, where he remained about one year. Coming to California, he located in Lathrop, and in 1890 removed to Concord, where he has since resided. Fraternally, Doctor Neff holds membership in the Masonic lodge of Concord and the Royal Arch chapter in Martinez. On October 6, 1897, he was united in marriage to Anna Williams, of Concord, daughter of Joseph Williams, one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of his locality. Previous to her marriage Mrs. Neff taught school for several years in Concord. Doctor and Mrs. Neff are esteemed by a wide circle of friends in
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Concord and vicinity. The children of Doctor Neff are Dorothy, Philip Van Devander, Francis William, John K., and Benjamin Henry.
GEORGE A. PUTNAM holds a prominent place among the representative agriculturists in Contra Costa County. He was born in Fruitvale, Alameda County, California, June 3, 1860, and is the son of John H. and Elizabeth S. Putnam, who had eight children, five boys and three girls, all living. John H. Putnam died in 1907, and his wife passed away the same year. George A. Putnam received his education in the Pleasant Hill school near Walnut Creek, and in the San Ramon school. He entered the mercantile store of his father and uncle for a time, and in 1879 he removed to Washington, where he followed farming until 1882, when he returned to this county and entered the store of his uncle, where he remained for three years. Returning to Washington, he married Miss Grace Bracket, a granddaughter of William Hook, February 15, 1887. To this union have been born five children-George Blalock (who married Miss Francis Vessing, a native of New York State), Grace Bell (who is attending high school), Marion Bernice, John Van Al- stien, and Dorothy Hazel. Politically, Mr. Putnam is affiliated with the Re- publican party. He has served on the Concord high-school board for two terms. He is an extensive landowner, and operates one of the most modern dairies in the county. He supplies milk and cream to the county hospital in Martinez. His dairy is a model along sanitary lines, and every modern con- dition exists for the handling of milk. Mrs. Amanda (Hook) Bracket makes her home at present with Mr. Putnam. She is one of Contra Costa County's most respected women. She was born in 1842 and crossed the plains with her parents in 1850. She was educated in Martinez and graduated from the Young Ladies' Seminary at Benicia. She was married to Rufus Bracket in January, 1861. He was a pioneer merchant and rancher, and died in August, 1889. Mr. Putnam has been identified largely with real-estate interests. He has enlarged his buildings and increased his stock, and today caters to a large and remunerative custom won by his progressive business methods and by the sterling qualities which distinguish his personal character.
GEORGE FREDERICK GEARY, one of the representative ranchers and fruit-growers of Contra Costa County, was born in the Ygnacio Valley. He is a son of Lawrence Geary, one of the pioneers of California. His father was born in Baden, Germany, December 5, 1827. In March, 1848, he came to the United States. He landed in New York and went to Philadelphia, where he found employment on a farm. Remaining there six months, he went to St. Louis, and thence south to New Orleans, where he worked on a sugar plan- tation. In April, 1849, he went to Fort Leavenworth and resided two years. In 1852 he, in company with three others, started across the plains for Cali- fornia, and arrived at Hangtown on August 26, 1852. He followed mining for a short time, and in the fall of 1852 he came to Contra Costa County and
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engaged in farming. In the fall of 1878 he purchased four hundred acres of land and engaged in general farming, in Pleasant Hill district. Mr. Geary was married on November 25, 1858, to Miss Jane Wallace, a native of Mis- souri. George Frederick Geary, the subject of this sketch, has fifty-five acres set out to walnuts, fruit, and vineyard. In politics Mr. Geary is a Republican. He has served as clerk and trustee of the Pleasant Hill school district for some time. Mr. Geary was married on September II, 1889, to Emma Reeves, a native of Maine. To this union have been born two children-Mabel E., a teacher in the schools of San Leandro, and Gladys E., at home and attending school. The family attend the Methodist church.
HENRY A. FORSBURG .- Through the successive stages of orderly pro- gression Henry A. Forsburg has advanced to his present position of respon- sibility and importance as general superintendent of the San Joaquin Valley trunk pipe-lines of the Standard Oil Company of California, with offices at San Pablo. He was born in Kane, Mckean County, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1874. He acquired his education in the public schools. At an early age he be- came identified with the Southern Pipe-Line Company of eastern Pennsyl- vania as pipe-line inspector. He later was made foreman of the pumping sta- tion. He then removed to New Jersey and had charge of loading oil-carry- ing vessels. In 1903 he removed to Chicago and was made assistant super- intendent on the Indiana pipe-line. In 1904 he was transferred to California as assistant superintendent of pipe-lines, and on March I, 1905, he was pro- moted to superintendent of the Southern Division. In 1907 Mr. Forsburg had charge of building the pipe-lines to the Midway fields from Bakersfield. Later, in 1907, he was transferred to the Northern Division, and in 1910 he was made general superintendent. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Mr. Forsburg was united in marriage May 12, 1896, to Miss Cresence Eisenman, of Clarion County, Pennsylvania. To this union there are two sons-Joseph A., born November 2, 1897, and Frank E., born December 25, 1900. Both sons are in the high school. Mr. Forsburg is popular in both business and social circles, and has won an extensive circle of warm friends in and around the Bay cities.
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