USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 62
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HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Blum. With a capital of fifty thousand dollars, the bank embarked in busi- ness, but soon the capital stock was doubled, such was its success under the administration of Mr. Fish, who continued its executive head until his retirement, in July, 1890. At that time the holders valued their stock at two hundred per cent, and none was for sale even at that premium. The grain business was another industry that engaged the attention of Mr. Fish, who, in July of 1878, with Messrs. Baldwin and Simon Blum, began to buy and sell grain and established warehouses at various towns; from this business he retired in June, 1884. In 1858 Mr. Fish and his brothers fitted up a house and sent for their sisters, Caroline and Cornelia. The latter died in 1861, but Caroline and the elder brother, Josiah, remained in the family circle until their death in 1893. On March 31, 1881, Mr. Fish was married to Miss Frances Lillian Webster, a teacher in the State Normal School at San Jose, and daughter of Samuel Warren and Mary (Nichols) Webster, representatives of Colonial New England families. Two children were born of their union, one of whom was Irving Webster Fish, who was united in marriage in Honolulu to Miss Clare Bristol, of Berkeley, California, February 16, 1910; they reside in Mendocino County, where Mr. Fish has large landholdings, and is iden- tified with the stock business in that county. The other child, Anne Hol- comb Webster Fish, was married in Berkeley, July 20, 1909, to Robert Noble Burgess; they have two children, Robert Noble Burgess, Jr., born May 13, 1910, and Frances Webster Burgess, born June 22, 1914.
JOHN C. ROUSE (deceased) was one of the pioneer and representative business men of eastern Contra Costa County. He was an important factor in the upbuilding of various enterprises in Antioch and the surrounding country. He was a man of energy and great executive ability. His birth oc- curred in Watertown, New York, June 20, 1828. He acquired a common- school education, and early in life he was identified with the drug business. On January 3, 1853, he started, via the Panama route, to cast his lot in the Golden State. He arrived in San Francisco on February 3, 1852. He engaged in mining in Calaveras County for a brief period, after which he mined in Tuolumne County for eight years. In April, 1861, Mr. Rouse came to Contra Costa County, where he became foreman of the Pittsburg Coal Mine at Somersville for about three years. His next venture was to engage in the hotel business at Somersville. He operated the Pittsburg Hotel for three years, when he again gave his attention to coal mining and worked the Cen- tral Mine for five years. In 1876, Mr. Rouse, in partnership with G. W. Hawxhurst, opened the Empire Mine, located at Judsonville. In 1877 Judson and Belshaw took an interest in the Empire Mine, and the company built and equipped a railroad from Antioch to the mine. In 1881 Mr. Rouse pur- chased the Central Mine and extended their railroad to the same, and Mr. Rouse became resident manager of the company, of the name of Belshaw & Co. He also was senior member of the firm of Rouse, Forman & Co., an
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extensive lumbering firm of Antioch. On February 21, 1872, Mr. Rouse was united in marriage to Miss Alice Nichols, a native of Watertown, New York State. To this union have been born two children-Charles Rouse, deceased, and Collins Nichol Rouse, a graduate of the University of Cali- fornia with the class of 1910. No man has given greater efforts or accom- plished greater results for the business prestige of Antioch. His death oc- curred in Berkeley on November 16, 1907, and his wife passed away on May 27, 1912. At the time of Mr. Rouse's death he was president of the Bank of Antioch; he was also associated with the lumber and hardware business of Antioch. In 1905 Mr. Rouse moved to Berkeley, and for a number of years he had retired from active business.
JIERGEN CHRISTENSON (deceased) .- In reviewing the lives of the settlers of Contra Costa County due mention should be made of the name of Jiergen Christenson, one of the most prominent and enterprising ranchers of the eastern section. He was a native of Denmark, born December 10, 1834. At the age of eighteen he came to America, arriving in New Orleans in January, 1853. A short time afterward he went to St. Louis, where he remained until 1858. Then he crossed the plains with ox-teams and came to San Francisco. Here he first found employment in a coffee and spice house with Charles Bernard, and by close application to business was made manager and conducted the business for sixteen years. About 1865 he settled on two hundred and fifty acres, and at one time he leased over seven hun- dred acres, in Marsh grant. While a resident of Utah, Mr. Christenson was united in marriage to Hanna Wallace on April 6, 1850, and she died on January 20, 1917. To this union there were twelve children, five of whom are now living. Thomas W. Christenson, a resident of Oakland, was born October 26, 1861. Hanna Wallace Christenson, wife of Joseph Sloan (de- ceased), was born January 12, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan had three children- Joseph, Jr., born November 6, 1885, and his children are Margery, born Oc- tober 25, 1911, and Violet, born January 7, 1913; Violet Sloan, born June 8, 1894; Rosetta Sloan died at the age of two years. Charles Bernard Christen- son was born April 3, 1869, and is now a resident of Taft, California; his children are Jiergen, born August 4, 1901, and Wallace, born September 8, 1902. James Henry Christenson was born January 3, 1888, and is engaged in the grocery business at Capitola, California; his son, Henry M., was born July 15, 1902. Florence A. Christenson was born January 27, 1881. Thomas W. Christenson, the eldest son, was united in marriage to Emma Brown, of San Francisco, in 1891; to this union was born Blanche, wife of A. Hudson, and Chrissie, who died at the age of fifteen years. Jiergen Christenson was a Republican in his political views. Fraternally, he was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. The land he bought Mr. Christenson im- proved in many ways. He erected a large and commodious residence, besides barns and other buildings, which were above the average in his locality. He
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was a man greatly beloved by all, and his death, which occurred on June 4, 1910, was deeply mourned, and his useful deeds perpetuated his memory.
ADRIAN H. SHAFER is distinguished not only for his able assistance in developing the horticultural resources of eastern Contra Costa County, but as a representative of one of the most prominent and honored pioneer fami- lies of this section of the county. Adrian H. Shafer is a man of energy, well educated and well informed. He carries on fruit-growing in a systematic and scientific manner. Mr. Shafer was born at Rio Vista, Solano County, June 3, 1862, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Shafer. His father was born in Everett, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and was reared and educated in his native State. In 1851, at the age of twenty-one, he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama and located in Sacramento, where he engaged in freight- ing on the Sacramento River. Later he engaged in stock-raising on Andrews Island, making his home at Rio Vista. In 1867 he disposed of his land on the island and came to Contra Costa County and engaged in farming. He ac- quired much land in this section and set out a large part of it to almonds. William Shafer, father of our subject, married Elizabeth Pierce, of Indiana. To this union were born five children-Adrian H., Hannah J., George H., Mabel, and Minnie. Adrian received his education in the Eden Plains school and business college. He followed bookkeeping in San Francisco for five years and in Los Angeles two years. He returned to the farm for a time and later removed to Oakland, where he became associated with the Paraffine Paint Company for five years. The past six years he has spent on the ranch, where he owns one hundred acres largely set out to almonds. He also rents a one-hundred-acre almond orchard from the Shafer estate. In politics Mr. Shafer gives his support to the Republican party. He has served on the Brentwood school board for six years and takes an active interest in educa- tional matters. Adrian H. Shafer was twice married, the first union being to Julia Carroll, of New Jersey, in 1888, and her death occurred in 1903. To the first union were born Raymond A., a student in the manual training school of Wisconsin, and Helen, a high-school student in Brentwood. The second marriage occurred on November I, 1905, to Abbie W. Call, a native of Cali- fornia. Fraternally, Mr. Shafer belongs to the I. O. O. F. lodge of Byron.
EDWARD T. MARTIN .- A man of great energy, intensity of purpose, and strong convictions, Edward T. Martin has taken an active interest in the county, although a resident of Contra Costa County for only a few years. He was born in Oakland, California, September 17, 1889, a son of James and Mary (Guckian) Martin. Both parents are natives of Ireland, and came to this country with their parents when young. The parents of Mr. Martin were married in San Francisco. His father is one of Oakland's respected citizens, and is engaged in the plumbing business. In the parents' family there were four children-James, Jr., Leo, Joseph, and the subject of this review, Ed-
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ward T. Martin, who acquired his education in the public schools of Oak- land, afterward attending St. Mary's College, graduating with the degree Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Martin did his duty at home, assisting his father by taking an active part in the business, and performing his work with effi- ciency. Later he took up the study of medicine and followed the drug busi- ness for some time, and in 1911 he became associated with the R. N. Burgess Company as bookkeeper in the San Francisco office. In 1913 he took the management of the Homestead Nursery for R. N. Burgess, with excellent results. Through his energetic and capable management this nursery has be- come one of the finest in California. Mr. Martin has acquired a wide reputa- tion for skill in this line of work, having devoted a great deal of time to the study of foreign and domestic plants. Mr. Martin occupies a comfortable home on what was formerly the Rice ranch. The nursery occupies about six hundred acres, and here friends and the public receive a hospitable welcome. Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mercedes G. Mendezabal, a na- tive of Alameda County, April 22, 1914. To this union one child, Eleanor M., was born on July 24, 1915. In politics Mr. Martin is a Republican. While he has never aspired to office, he has always taken a keen interest in all matters for the betterment of the county. He is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus, Oakland Council, and holds the rank of lieutenant in the League of the Cross Cadets. The family are members of the Catholic church.
NATHAN I. BALDWIN .- The opportunities offered by California to men of enterprise and sterling worth are nowhere better exemplified than in the successful career of Nathan I. Baldwin. He was born in Ogdensburg, New York, March 15, 1861, son of Frank B. and Elizabeth (Tallman) Baldwin. In the parents' family there were born four children. Nathan, the subject of this review, acquired a grammar-school education. In early life he started out for himself and followed various vocations, filling positions of importance and trust. In 1888 he decided to cast his lot with the Golden West and located in Fresno. He took the management of the fair grounds at Fresno, and held this position for three years. He then became identified with the California & Hawaiian Sugar Company as farm superintendent. Here he remained for eight years. Coming to Contra Costa County, he became associated with the Cowell Portland Cement Company as lessee of the commissary department, which he has held for eleven years. Mr. Baldwin was twice married. The first marriage occurred in Morristown, New York, to Ada Bolton, in 1883. To this union was born one daughter, Helen, now the wife of W. E. McMullen, of Canton, New York. The second marriage occurred on July 23, 1909, to Ida Hudson, of Oakland, California. Two children have blessed this union-Mar- garet, born April 4, 1911, and Barbara, born January 8, 1913. In politics Mr. Baldwin supports the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a Mason, holding membership in Vallejo Naval Commandery. He is also a member of the B. P. O. E. of Vallejo. Mr. Baldwin is a member of the Cowell school board. He
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has one of the palatial homes of central Contra Costa County, and has about eleven acres devoted to the finest varieties of walnuts, almonds, and grapes.
ROBERT HARROWER (deceased) .- One of the representative pioneers of Contra Costa County, and one of the highly esteemed citizens of the county, was Robert Harrower, whose death occurred on December 12, 1916, at his home in Antioch. He was born in Dufferline, Scotland, in 1838. Here he re- ceived his education and grew to manhood. He worked in the mines, later becoming a seafaring man, and for seven years he visited many ports. Hear- ing about America in his travels, he came to San Francisco on July 4, 1868. This ended his life as a sailor. He found employment in the quarries near San Francisco and Santa Cruz. In September following his arrival in San Francisco he was married to Christina Athie, a native of Scotland. He came to Black Diamond (now Pittsburg), where he found work in the mines. In 1871 he purchased what is known as the Harrower ranch south of Antioch, and owned four hundred and eighty acres of land. Into the family there were born three children-Robert, Jr., Lizzie (married to Charles Richey, of An- tioch, and to this union were born May, Stella, and John), Maggie (married to William Leishman, of San Francisco, and has three children, Hazel, Grace, and Elizabeth). Robert Harrower, Jr., was born on May 25, 1871, and resides on the home place and carries on general farming. He was educated in the Deer Valley and Empire schools, after which he attended business college in Stockton. Returning home he took an active part in the ranch management. He is a member of General Winn Parlor, N. S. G. W., the Ma- sonic lodge of Brentwood, and the I. O. O. F. lodge of Antioch. In politics Mr. Harrower, like his father, has always been identified with the Republi- can party.
CHARLES H. HAYDEN, one of the men of Contra Costa County who, by reason of his personal integrity and ability, is recognized as one of the lead- ing men of Martinez, was born in Calhoun County, Iowa, June 29, 1870. In 1896 he located in Martinez, where he became identified with E. Morgan in the hardware and plumbing store for a period of eight years. On July 10, 1905, he was appointed justice of the peace to fill out the unexpired term of David S. Carpenter, and Mr. Hayden has held the office since. In the last two terms he has had no opposition at the polls. Politically, he is a Republi- can, and he has done much toward increasing Republican prestige in the county, and enjoys in full measure the confidence and respect of his fellow- men. Fraternally, Mr. Hayden is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. He was united in marriage to Miss Lettie M. Cottrell, a native of Texas, December 28, 1898. To this union there have been three children-Hoyt H., born August 31, 1903; Hilda H., born May 25, 1907; and Ruth M., died in infancy. Mrs. Hayden is a member of the Pythian Sis- ters and the Women of Woodcraft, and takes an active part in the social cir- cles of Martinez.
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FRED ALMOND .- The ability that Fred Almond has manifested in his ag- ricultural operations in Contra Costa County has placed him among the rep- resentative farmers in his locality. Mr. Almond is a native of England, and was born on July 26, 1869. He is a son of James and Hannah (Busfield) Al- mond, both natives of England. At the age of eight years Mr. Almond came to this country with his parents and located in Allegan, Michigan, where his father took up farming. Fred acquired his education in Allegan, and assisted on the home place until he was nearly of age, when he went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and worked in a hospital for nearly three years. In 1892 he came to San Francisco, where he worked for the City Railway Company for a pe- riod of seventeen years, and up to the time of the last strike, in 1907, at which time Mr. Almond left his employment with the road and never went back to take up his old position. In 1909 he removed to Contra Costa County and purchased, with his brother John, the Los Lomas ranch, which has been highly improved and set out largely to fruit and grapes. Mr. Almond was united in marriage to Lillie Westerberg, a native of San Francisco, June 10, 1896. To this union there have been six children-Irving W., born May 2, 1897; Lloyd J., born August 27, 1898; Frederick V., born May 24, 1908; Ver- non W., born September 4, 1910; Ellis B., born June 30, 1912, and Hester Vir- ginia, born February 21, 1914. Mrs. Almond's parents, Amanda and Frederick Westerberg, were among the early settlers in San Francisco. Her father owned and operated the schooner "Ringleader." Mr. and Mrs. Almond have recently erected a new home on a conspicuous spot having a fine view of the surrounding country.
URSA S. ABBOTT, M. D .- Among the prominent physicians of the Bay counties is Doctor Ursa S. Abbott, who for many years has practiced in Richmond with ever-increasing success. He is a native of Ohio, being born at Clearport on June 3, 1873. He is the son of Lafayette and Mary E. (Ly- singer) Abbott. His father was a native of Vermont, and his mother a native of Pennsylvania. His father was a successful merchant, and was numbered among the representative men of his locality. His death occurred in 1895, and Doctor Abbott's mother died in 1897. In the parents' family there were ten children, of whom seven are still living. Doctor Abbott, the seventh in order of birth, received his education in the public schools in Clearport, Ohio. He attended Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio, for two years. He then entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, but owing to ill- health in his senior year was obliged to discontinue his studies there. In 1898 he entered the Ohio Medical University at Columbus, where he re- mained one year, spending the following year in Chicago, where he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons. On account of failing health he was obliged to seek a different climate, and went to Denver, Colorado, where he entered the Gross Medical College. Later Doctor Abbott came to California and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Fran-
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cisco in 1902. He received a position as physician on a German steamship, and sailed in December, 1902, for Hamburg, Germany. The trip covered sev- enteen thousand miles, calling at various ports in Central and South Amer- ica, Cape Verde and Canary Islands, France, England, and Germany. Re- turning to New York, Doctor Abbott took a postgraduate course at the postgraduate school and hospital and was appointed as physician on the New York City Board of Health in 1903. Here he continued until the follow- ing fall, when he removed to Colorado, locating at Grand Junction, where he remained for a period of five years. In 1908 he returned to Richmond and began practicing his profession, forming a copartnership with Doctor C. L. Abbott in 1909. Doctors C. L. and U. S. Abbott are constantly in touch with the most advanced medical thoughts of their profession, and their personal characteristics have gained them the warm regard and friendships of many, while in professional lines they have attained that eminence which comes only in recognition of merit and ability. On September 7, 1904, Doctor U. S. Abbott was united in marriage to Miss Rose Carolyn Keller, of Lancaster, Ohio, daughter of John B. and Elizabeth (Hartman) Keller, both natives of Germany. In his political views Doctor U. S. Abbott is an ardent Republican. He holds membership in the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, the Elks, and is a Royal Arch Mason. He is medical examiner for the Wood- men of the World, the New York Life Insurance Company, and various other insurance companies. He served as president of the Contra Costa Med- ical Society in 1914-15. He is a member of the Phi Chi Fraternity of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the Union League Club of San Francisco. Doctors C. L. Abbott and U. S. Abbott are local surgeons for the Santa Fe Railroad, the Pullman shops, the Atlas & Giant Powder Company, and are also on the medi- cal staff of surgeons for the Standard Oil Company. They have just com- pleted and moved into the Abbott Building, 912 Macdonald Avenue, Rich- mond, one of the most modern buildings in the city. Mrs. U. S. Abbott is prominently identified with the social affairs of Richmond, and has served on the Woman's Board of the Panama-Pacific Exposition. She is now ac- tively engaged in the work of the Red Cross.
LOUIS N. BUTTNER (deceased) .- Although several years have elapsed since Louis N. Buttner passed from the scenes of his activities, his memory is still green in the hearts of his family and friends. Mr. Buttner was born in Sunol, Alameda County, January 20, 1867. He was the son of George and Elizabeth Buttner, who were among the pioneer settlers in Alameda County. Louis N. Buttner acquired his education in the public schools of Alameda County. Early in life he became associated with the Southern Pacific Com- pany at Port Costa. He remained with this company for a period of fifteen years. He was then appointed to fill out the unexpired term as county treas- urer of George Wiley, and at the following general election he was elected to that office. He continued in office seven years, still holding at the time of
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his death, which occurred June 27, 1913. Mr. Buttner gave his political sup- port to the Republican party. He served on the education board of the Crockett high school, and on the Port Costa grammar-school board. Frater- nally, Mr. Buttner held membership in the Masonic lodge of Martinez, and for two terms he served as master of his lodge. He is also a Knight Tem- plar. On August 2, 1887, he married Miss Mary Hendry, of San Francisco, daughter of William and Margaret Hendry. Mrs. Buttner's father was a na- tive of Scotland, and came direct to California in 1851 via the Isthmus route and settled in San Francisco. Her mother came to this State in 1854 and lo- cated in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Buttner have had three children-Har- old, born at Port Costa on November 3, 1894, graduate of the University of California, taking an electrical engineering course; Edgar, born in San Francisco on August 17, 1899; Ethel, died in infancy.
JAMES N. LONG .- One of the most progressive and enterprising men of Richmond is James N. Long. He is recognized as a far-sighted and re- sourceful man in his locality. He was born in San Francisco on May 7, 1883. His parents are Frank W. and Katherine Long. His father is a native of Sonoma County, California, and his grandfather came from Missouri to Cal- ifornia in the early days. The father of James N. Long was for many years one of the leading contractors in the Napa Valley. He is now retired. His mother is still living. The parents of Mr. Long had three children-Doretta, wife of J. I. Hohn, of Napa; Edna, residing with her parents, and the sub- ject of this review. James N. acquired his education in the public schools of Vallejo, after which he learned the plaster trade. This vocation he has fol- lowed all his life. He is trustworthy and always to be relied upon to fulfill any contract to the letter; therefore, he enjoys a high reputation, which has secured him many important contracts. On December 16, 1906, Mr. Long was united in marriage to Miss Della A. Johnson, daughter of M. A. John- son, of Sonoma, one of the respected pioneers of his locality. Politically, Mr. Long is a Republican, and has been active along party lines. He served as a member of the Richmond educational board for a number of years. He is interested in the growth and prosperity of Richmond and the whole coun- ty, and is ever ready to bear his share in promoting advancement and devel- opment. Mr. Long is prominent in the Masonic order, holding membership in the Richmond lodge and chapter. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mod- ern Woodmen, Eastern Star, and other orders. About eight years ago Mr. Long removed to Richmond. In matters of citizenship he is intensely loyal and public-spirited, and gives his indorsement to every movement that will advance the municipality or promote the welfare of the community along the various lines of human activity.
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