bios

ANDERSON, HARRY S. 1877-
Probably no citizen of Oakland has been more prominently identified with various phases of its affairs than has Harry S. Anderson, who has built up and operates one of the largest business enterprises of the city, has been actively connected with municipal and civic interests and is one of the leaders in local fraternal circles. He has led a very busy and useful life and stands today as one of the representative men of this city. Mr. Anderson was born in Oakland, September 3, 1877, and is a son of Severin and Fredericka (Hedemark) Anderson. His father came to California in 1870, locating first in San Francisco, and in 1875 became a resident of Oakland. In 1891 he and his son Harry established a carpet business in the old Masonic Temple building and in three years increasing trade demanded more room. They then moved to 1114 Broadway, where they remained twelve years, when they moved to the present site of the Tribune building. The business continued to grow and at length was established in its present location at 519-521 Thirteenth street, where it occupies the entire building. The father remained actively identified with the business to the time of his death, which occurred in 1913, since which time Harry S. Anderson and his brother, Fred N. Anderson, have been owners and to their progressive and enterprising methods the later success of the business is due, Anderson's Carpet House being one of the best known business concerns of the Bay district. They carry a large and complete line of carpets, and two years ago added a complete line of interior decorations, which has proven a popular department. About fifty people are employed in the store and courtesy and efficiency characterize the service which they render.On April 23, 1901, Harry S. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Edna Frances Camp, who was born in San Francisco, but was reared and educated in Oakland. They are the parents of four children, Harry Robert (Bob), Geraldine, Jeanette and Willard, and there is one granddaughter.Mr. Anderson has long been prominent in the republican party in this state, having served as secretary of the county central committee, as secretary of the old Seventh Ward Republican Club, and under the old regime as secretary of the republican state committee. For two terms he was city commissioner of public works, during which period he had charge of the erection of the new city hall and the city auditorium, in both of which buildings he takes a justifiable pride. He is a Mason, belonging to the York Rite and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also has membership with the Fraternal Brotherhood, the Royal Arcanum, the Native Sons of the Golden West and the National Union. In the last named he is serving his fifth year as national president and also had the distinction of holding the position of speaker of the senate in that organization. He belongs to the Athens Athletic Club, of which he is secretary, the Castlewood Country Club, of which he is chairman of the house committee, the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants Exchange. Mr. Anderson has been in charge of the raising of funds for the building of the new Masonic temple at Thirteenth and Harrison streets, being commissioned to raise one million, two hundred thousand dollars, and so energetically has he carried this work forward that he has seventy-eight thousand dollars over the desired amount, so that the work can now proceed. Mr. Anderson has always been greatly interested in athletics and for many years was a director of the Oakland baseball team of the Pacific Coast League. He has earned the reputation of doing thoroughly and well everything which he undertakes and therefore is considered a valuable man by everyone with whom he has been associated. Energetic, progressive, straightforward and honorable, he commands the confidence and respect of the entire community and in the circles in which he moves he is extremely popular. [From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

BENJAMIN F. BERGEN

A man who achieved distinction as an official of the United States government and who later sustained a high reputation as a member of the bar of the Bay cities was Benjamin F. Bergen. A native of Schuyler county, Illinois, born in 1838, Mr. Bergen was the descendent of the early New Jersey Bergens, the first of whom came to America with Henrik Hudson in 1621. The head of this family married the first white woman to be born in the province of New Netherlands. The great-grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolution and his grandfather an officer in the War of 1812. His father, George S. Bergen, conducted a large stock farm in Schuyler county. He was a native of New Jersey, from which state he removed to Kentucky in 1818, the same year that Illinois was admitted to the Union. Four years later he went to the latter state and entered Shurtleff College, which had just been founded. On completing his course of study there he settled at Jersey Prairie, near Jacksonville. At this time Illinois saw a large influx of people from the northern Confederate states, who settled in the country between the Wabash and St. Louis rivers, especially in Vermilion, Edgar, Champaign, Sangamon and Morgan counties. The mixture of these old families with those of the pioneers produced a race of people from which sprang many of the country's greatest men.

Benjamin F. Bergen received his early education in the common schools near .his home and at an early age decided to become a lawyer. This meant in those days long and steady application to his studies in a law office, but he persevered and was finally admitted to the bar. Although he was of an exceedingly studious turn of mind, bent on further perfecting himself in his profession, he found time to participate in politics, being affiliated with the democratic party. He possessed an aptitude for organization and had few peers in the state. As long as he remained in Illinois - nearly twenty-five years - he was a delegate to nearly every state convention of his parry and he numbered among his associates such men as Hon. Virgil Hickox, Hon. William M. Springer, Hon. James C. Allen, Hon. William A. Richardson, Hon. O. B. Ficklin, United States Senator John M. Palmer, Hon. William R. Morrison and others who have left their impress upon the pages of history. He was a member of the democratic state central committee from the state at large for many years; a member of the executive committee of that body; and also secretary of the state central committee during the Tilden campaign, spending several months at the headquarters in Chicago. He called to order the memorable convention in the Windy City at which Tilden was nominated for president.

In 1885 Mr. Bergen was sent to California and went to Eureka, Humboldt county, as special agent of the United States land office to investigate irregularities in the acquirement of certain redwood timber holdings, being commissioned by President Cleveland. He prosecuted several cases successfully in the federal courts and became the bane of the "land-sharks" of those days. In the course of this work he reclaimed many hundreds of acres of valuable timber lands which had illegally been taken from the government. When Cleveland was succeeded as president by Harrison he resigned and began the practice of law in San Francisco. When first he tendered his resignation it was not accepted, the reasons for which are later seen in letters from Washington. He made his home in Berkeley until 1910, when he moved to Alameda. Until 1896 he maintained his law office in San Francisco, achieving much distinction and handling much important litigation. Then he removed his office to Oakland, that he might be nearer his family, and continued to practice until his death, which occurred on June 22, 1912.

During his residence in Alameda county he took an active interest in local affairs and in 1894 was a candidate for the superior bench. He served several terms as member of the board of education of Berkeley and in 1898 was appointed a director of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institute in the college city.

Mr. Bergen was first married at the age of twenty-three to Elizabeth Ann Clark, daughter of David C. and Martha Ann Clark of Santa Rosa. She died in 1900. In 1910 he wedded Mrs. Louise (Briggs) Bigler of Alameda. Four children were born of the first union : Anna, who married James U. Smith, of Berkeley; M. Emily; Benjamin C.; and Ethel, the wife of Frank N. Lowell of Berkeley.

Among the records of his career as a government official which were treasured by Mr. Bergen and which go far to show that he had been one of its valued agents is a letter received by him from the commissioner of the land office, on receipt of Mr. Bergen's resignation, which is reproduced herewith:

Washington, D. C., May 9, 1889

B. F. Bergen, Eureka, California:

Dear Sir: - Referring to your request to have your resignation as special agent accepted as soon as practicable, I have to say that I regret very much to learn of your purpose to leave the service, and hope you will reconsider the matter and find it agreeable to remain. Your thorough knowledge of the land laws and the duties of your office have enabled you to render service which has been of incalculable benefit to the government; and I feel it my duty to do and say whatever I can to keep you in the service. You have proven yourself to be an honest and efficient officer, and the government cannot well afford to lose your services. The able manner in which you conducted the trial in the California redwood case is especially deserving of the highest commendation and praise. I shall therefore decline to recommend the acceptance of your resignation, as long as I believe you can be induced to remain in office.

Yours very truly,

S. M. STOCKSLEGER,

Commissioner, G. L. O.

The "California redwood case" to which the foregoing letter referred was the prosecution of the California Redwood Company, or "Scotch Syndicate," in which he was bitterly opposed by the best legal talent procurable. It involved the title to some sixty thousand acres of redwood timber land in Humboldt county, valued at twenty million dollars. The case was long contested, over four hundred witnesses being examined, but Mr. Bergen won it for the government. In further recognition of his valuable services and summarizing well his career, William F. Vilas, then secretary of the interior, when Mr. Bergen's resignation finally was accepted, wrote to him: "An honorable record is your just reward for public labor."

As a lawyer in after years, in private practice, Mr. Bergen maintained his high reputation for ability, integrity and faithfulness to the interests of those who entrusted their affairs to him. In social life he was one of the most companionable of men, of genial disposition, and popular among the host of friends who were privileged to know him.

Note: Ancestor who married the first white woman to be born is Jan Hans Bergen married to Sarah Rapalje.

Past and Present of Alameda County, California, By Joseph Eugene Baker, Published 1914, S. J. Clarke, page 373-376

SUBMITTED BY SARA HEMP

BROWN, EVERETT J. 1876-
Judge Everett J. Brown, who ranks among the capable, influential and successful members of the bar of Alameda county, has had an excellent professional record, marked not only by unusual achievement as a practitioner, but also by able and worthy service as a jurist, and today no member of his profession in the East Bay district is held in higher regard. Judge Brown was born on the 14th of December, 1876, and is a son of John W. and Matilda (Delger) Brown. He received his early education in the public schools of Oakland, graduating from high school in 1894, and then entered the University of California, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1898. Having long entertained an ambition to devote his life to the legal profession, he entered the Hastings College of Law, in San Francisco, affiliated with the State University, and supplemented his work there by active experience in the offices of Hon. Victor H. Metcalf, with whom he remained until the latter became a member of President Roosevelt's cabinet. In 1901 he was admitted to the bar and immediately opened an office in Oakland. His ability and energy quickly gained him recognition and he attracted attention by his earnestness, skill and resourcefulness. In 1903 he was appointed deputy district attorney of Alameda county, and during his term his service was so effective and satisfactory that he was then made the republican nominee for the office of district attorney and was elected by a flattering majority. He served about two years of his term, exhibiting marked ability and a comprehensive knowledge of law, so that he was nominated and elected to the superior bench of Alameda county, being at that time but thirty-three years of age. As a jurist he proved able, fearless and eminently fair, his record enhancing his already enviable reputation for conscientious devotion to duty and firmness. After several years of worthy service on the bench, Judge Brown resigned and resumed the private practice of his profession, in which he has met with distinctive success, and is enjoying a large and lucrative practice, having his offices in the Central Bank building. Alert, vigorous and skillful, he has a professional record that has attracted wide attention and commands not only the respect of his colleagues, but also the confidence and esteem of the public.In 1905, in Oakland, Judge Brown was united in marriage to Miss Winifred L. Osborne, and they are the parents of three children, Winifred, Everett and Jean. The Judge is the scion of worthy ancestors, his mother having for many years been a leader in the social and civic affairs of her community, devoting her efforts to benevolent and philanthropic affairs and serving a number of years as president of the King's Daughters Home. The Judge is a man of progressive and constructive tendencies and his interest in the welfare and advancement of his home city has prompted him to give his active support to every measure for the betterment of the community. Cordial and unaffected in manner, he not only has a wide acquaintance but also commands the friendship and good will of all who have come into contact with him. [From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

CARR, JOHN METZLER
John M. Carr, who, after a long and active career, has now retired from business, is one of the earliest pioneers of the Fruitvale district of Oakland and has been an interested spectator of the wonderful development of that locality. He was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, January 13, 1852, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (McCully) Carr, the former of whom was a native of Scotland. Both parents have long since passed away.John M. Carr left home at the tender age of eight years, since which time he has made his own way in the world. In early life he attended school and learned the trade of a blacksmith. When twenty-two years old he went to Boston, Massachusetts, in which city he resided five years, and in 1874 came to the Pacific coast, locating first in San Francisco. Two years later he went to Menlo Park, this state, and after two years there he came to Oakland, locating in what is known as Fruitvale, where he engaged in the dairy business. At that time he pastured his cattle where now stands the solidly built business district of that place and on the site of many of the finest residences. He continued in the dairy business for forty years, enjoying a large patronage, for he sold good milk and gave prompt and efficient service, and met with a very gratifying financial success. He has now retired and makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Saunders.Mr. Carr was united in marriage to Miss Alice Maude O'Brien, also a native of Nova Scotia, who died in December, 1916, at the age of fifty-four years. To them were born four children: Mrs. Lottie Saunders; Roy A., who died when twenty years old; Alfred J., who lives in Moraga Valley; and Greta, the wife of August Cramm, a civil engineer for the Western Pacific Railroad. There are also seven grandchildren.Mr. Carr gives his political support to the republican party. Despite his age he is still very active and devotes his attention to the management of his property interests, having made good investments in his section of the city. A man of kindly and hospitable nature, he is widely known and throughout the range of his acquaintance he is held in the very highest esteem. [From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

CARROLL, THOMAS
The oldest citizen of the Fruitvale district of Oakland in point of years of residence is Thomas Carroll, who for three decades has rendered efficient and satisfactory service as constable of Brooklyn township, his record as a man and citizen winning for him a high place in public esteem. Mr. Carroll was born in Wisconsin on the 25th of December, 1853, and is a son of Wesley and Margaret (Mitchell) Carroll. His father crossed the plains to California in 1856, and settled at Fruitvale, where he bought two hundred and fifty acres of land. He engaged in mining for a time, but spent the greater part of his life on his Fruitvale ranch. He engaged in raising horses and in farming and was successful in his affairs. He was a typical pioneer of his day, having passed through all the experiences common to frontiersmen, including warfare with the Indians. The old Carroll mansion at Fruitvale was the first two-story house built in this locality.Thomas Carroll attended the first public school built in Fruitvale and from boyhood assisted his father in the management and operation of the home place. A real pioneer, strong in body and alert mentally, he took upon himself his full share of the work and also enjoyed the sports of the community. From young manhood he showed considerable athletic prowess, possessing a splendid physique, and in the course of time gained national repute for his achievements. At one time he held the world's record as a weight thrower and in the contests at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition took third place as a strong man. As an international athlete, he visited England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and other foreign countries, where his performances excited much interest. Today, though seventy-five years old, Mr. Carroll is still erect in carriage and active in his movements, retaining his physical vigor to a remarkable degree.For ten years Mr. Carroll conducted a large dairy here and met with fair success, but during the past thirty years he filled the position of constable of Brooklyn township, which is undoubtedly a record period of service for a peace officer in this state. He has faithfully and capably performed his duties and has at all times commanded the respect of his fellowmen.Mr. Carroll married Miss Minnie Dean, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who is now deceased. To them were born three children, Thomas Duncan, a well known evangelist, Wallace and Harry Mitchell. Mr. Carroll is a great lover of outdoor life and enjoys an occasional hunting trip. He has a "den" and curio shop on two and a half acres of the old home place, in which he keeps a collection of pistols and rifles used in former days, some of them having been used several generations ago, and he is justly proud of this collection, which possesses considerable value, as well as interest. Mr. Carroll is quiet and unobtrusive in manner but possesses a strong character, and among his acquaintances is held in high regard. [From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

CHAPMAN MELVIN C. 1850-
The consensus of public opinion places Melvin C. Chapman as one of the most distinguished citizens of Oakland, where he has resided for more than a half century, during forty-five years of which he has been engaged in the practice of law. That he is one of the most eminent members of the California bar is indicated in the high opinion entertained for him by his fellow members of the profession who for the past eighteen years have honored him with the presidency of the Alameda County Bar Association. Mr. Chapman comes to the Pacific coast from Illinois, his birth having occurred in Westfield, Bureau county, that state, on the 5th of September, 1850. In the paternal line he traces his ancestry back to Robert Chapman, a native of England, who came to the colonies in 1637 and was one of the original settlers of Saybrook, Connecticut, occupying a home there that is still in the possession of his descendants. Members of the family participated in the war of the Revolution, the War of 1812 and in the Civil war. The parents of Melvin C. Chapman were Charles de Grasse and Cynthia (Palmer) Chapman, the latter, like her husband, being a representative of a family long established in this country.Melvin C. Chapman was but five years of age when in 1855 his parents removed from Westfield, Illinois, to Chicago, where he acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, while later he entered Onorga Seminary and was graduated in 1868. A year later he arrived in California and soon afterward established a real estate business in San Francisco, where he remained until 1876, when he came to Oakland. For five years thereafter he continued in the real estate business in this city and then disposed of his interests along that line in order to take up the study of law. Following his admission to the bar he formed a partnership with Roscoe Havens, but after eight months this association was discontinued and Mr. Chapman practiced alone until June, 1910, when he was joined by E. E. Trefethen in a partnership that has since been maintained. They have offices in the Oakland Bank building and are accorded an extensive clientele. For a half century Mr. Chapman has been a representative of the Oakland bar, honored by reason of his capability and his close conformity to the highest ethical standards of the profession. He has always prepared his cases with great thoroughness and care, is clear in his reasoning, logical in his deductions and forceful in the presentation of a cause. No higher testimonial of the respect and esteem entertained for him by members of the legal fraternity could be given than the fact that he has been elected eighteen times to the presidency of the Alameda County Bar Association. He was formerly president of the Tribune Publishing Company and in many ways has been identified with those enterprises and movements which have been of inestimable benefit to the community.An outstanding factor in the life record of Melvin C. Chapman was his service as mayor of the city. Elected to the office, he gave to Oakland an administration that was characterized by notable progress and improvement. Its beautiful water park will ever be a monument to his progressiveness and his public spirit. Constantly alert to opportunities for adding to the beauty of Oakland, he conceived the idea of securing this park for the city and used his personal and official influence in securing a deed from, the Oakland Water Front Company. It was largely his persuasive force with Leland Stanford and the late Mr. Huntington that brought about the transfer to Oakland of the beautiful Lake Merritt, now a celebrated water park and one of the most attractive districts of the city or the East Bay region, the estimated value of this property being more than one million dollars. The work of developing this property was carried on under the direction of Mayor Chapman and his fellow townsmen owe to him a debt of gratitude for what he has accomplished in this connection. Again his public service reached a high point of efficiency when in 1887 he became a member of the state legislature, giving his support, as always, to every measure that made for progress, development and improvement.On the 21st of December, 1887, in Oakland, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Childs, who has passed away. Their son, Melvin C. Jr., is now practicing law in connection with his father as a partner in the firm of Chapman, Trefethen & Chapman.Melvin C. Chapman has passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey but is still a most active factor in the world's work, being found at his office every day attending to his professional duties, which are both extensive and important in character. His life has ever been purposeful and his activities resultant. The same qualities which have made him a notably successful member of the bar have led to achievement in the field of public activity and Oakland has reason to point with pride to him as one of her representative men. [From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

CRESTETTO, PETER
To Peter Crestetto is due the inauguration of the salami manufacturing industry in Oakland, and the success which has crowned his efforts is the direct result of his energy, persistence and good business judgment. A native of Italy, born on the 8th of September, 1881, he is a son of Dominico and Mary Crestetto. His father had come to California during the days of the historic gold rush, in which he met with fair success, and then returned to Italy, where he engaged in the lumber business, later turning his attention to farming.Peter Crestetto received a good education in the public schools of his native land and learned the trade of butchering. When twenty-three years of age, he came to the United States, locating in San Francisco, California, where he worked for his brother, remaining in that city until the earthquake of 1906, when he came to Oakland and, with the small capital which he possessed, started the first salami factory in this city. His first week's production was about fifty pounds, but he found ready sale for his product, which has steadily increased in volume until now the factory is producing fourteen thousand pounds a week. The California Salami Factory, under which name the business is conducted, is a partnership concern, Mr. Crestetto being the senior member of the firm. They employ eleven persons in the factory, which is sanitary in every respect and is equipped with modern machinery.Mr. Crestetto was united in marriage to Miss Esther Viclio, who was born and reared in this state and whose father, E. Viclio, was one of the early and prominent bakers of San Francisco, where he was in business for many years. Immediately following the earthquake and fire in San Francisco in 1906 he furnished bread free to the victims of the disaster, for which generous act he was commended by the United States government. Mr. and Mrs. Crestetto have two children, Ernestine and Norma. Mr. Crestetto gives his political support to the republican party, while fraternally he is a member of a Masonic Lodge in San Francisco and a life member of Oakland Consistory, A. A. S. R., and Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to the Foresters of America. Since coming to Oakland, he has manifested helpful interest in the welfare of the community, cooperating in all movements for the advancement and progress of the city, and, because of his business success and his sterling qualities of character, he commands the uniform respect of his fellowmen. [From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

DE SOUSA, ALFRED 1872
Rev. Alfred de Sousa,who has served continuously since 1913 as pastor of the Church of the Holy Ghost, at Centerville, is one of the devoted and able clergymen of Alameda county, and is entitled to mention among those whose efforts have been directed to the betterment and uplift of humanity. Father de Sousa was born in Flores, in the Azores islands, October 22, 1872, and, after attending the public schools, completed his education in Angra City College, in which he was ordained to the priesthood in 1896. In 1899 he came to the United States and was appointed assistant pastor at Mission San Jose, California, later serving in the same capacity at the San Leandro church. His next appointment was as pastor at Atwater, where he built a new church and parish house, and from there he went to Petaluma and Cotati, where he served in the pastorate until 1913, when he came to the Church of the Holy Ghost, at Centerville. This parish was founded in 1886 by Rev. Domingo Governo, who had charge of the church to the time of his death, in 1913, and thus this parish has had but two pastors during its entire history of forty-two years. Father de Sousa has done splendid work at Centerville, including the erection of a new church, of stately Roman architectural style, and a new parish house and hall. The membership of the church is largely of Portuguese nativity or descent. There is a Holy Name Society and a Holy Ghost Brotherhood, and all departments of the church are functioning in a very satisfactory manner. Father de Sousa is a strong preacher, a devoted pastor and a public-spirited citizen of his community, giving his support to all measures for the advancement of public welfare, and for these reasons, as well as for his splendid personal qualities, he commands the respect and good will of all who know him, regardless of creed or profession. [From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

HON. CHARLES FREDERICK HORNER 1858-1917

On the roster of county officials of Alameda county appears the name of Hon. Charles Frederick Horner, who, following a period of efficient and capable service as a member of the board of supervisors, was in 1911 elected county assessor. He is a native son, born in Irvington, Alameda county, November, 1858, his father, the late W. Y. Horner having been one of the well known figures in the pioneer days of California. He came to the Pacific coast around the Horn in 1849 and became prominently identified with the development of San Francisco in early times, laying out the first addition to the city, which was known as Horner's Addition, and controlling about two hundred and thirteen thousand acres of land in the state.

Charles F. Horner acquired his early education in the public schools and later attended Washington college. Early in his career he became interested in the business of refining sugar and has made a comprehensive study of every branch and department of this industry. He was for many years manager of one of the largest sugar plantations in the Hawaiian islands located at Lahaina, Mani. Starting in with a very modest position at this plantation, he exhibited such business acumen and earned such a reputation for integrity and responsibility that he soon won the confidence of the capitalists who had invested in the enterprise and was steadily promoted, being finally given full supervision of the property. He took an active part in public affairs while a resident of the Hawaiian islands and in 1887 and 1888 served as a member of the legislature under the reform movement.

Mr. Horner was elected a member of the board of supervisors of Alameda county in 1900 and served in this capacity for eleven years, his continued reelection to office being the best proof of his acceptability to the people. His tireless efforts and conscientious work in behalf of progress and general improvement, particularly in regard to the betterment of the roads and public highways, soon gained for him an enviable reputation for well directed activity in office.

Improvements along these lines had his particular attention as a member of the board, and it is largely owing to his influence that Alameda county enjoys its excellent system of roads. In addition to this Mr. Horner was a strong advocate for better bridges and succeeded, among other things, in obtaining for the county the modern steel bridge in Niles canyon. As presiding member of the board he always showed a constant courtesy and impartiality to petitioners, to his fellow board members and to the public at large. In August, 1911, after the conviction of Henry P» Dalton, county assessor, the board of supervisors appointed Mr. Horner to fill the vacancy, and he has since served in this office, discharging his duties in his usual prompt and systematic manner.

Mr. Horner is well known in fraternal circles, being a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the Order of Elks, the Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias, the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Druids. He holds membership also in the Nile Club of Oakland. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, a business man of unusual insight and ability and a conscientious and capable official, and he holds the confidence and good-will of all who are in any way associated with him

[Past and Present of Alameda County by J. Baker, 1914] Submitted by BLCW.

LLOYD, THOMAS H.
The life history of Thomas H. Lloyd, of Oakland, presents a record of early years of hard labor and determined efforts, eventually crowned with a gratifying measure of success, and now, as secretary of the Oakland Garage, Inc., he stands among the leading business men of this city. Mr. Lloyd was born in Wales, September 11, 1887, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Roberts) Lloyd. In 1888, when he was about a year old, the family came to the United States, locating in Oakland, where the father's death occurred soon afterwards. His mother is still living in this city.Thomas H. Lloyd was given the advantage of a good public school education, graduating from the Polytechnic high school in 1904, after which he worked at various occupations. As a blacksmith's helper he worked fourteen hours a day for two years. He then worked in an automobile shop, where he became familiar with automobile mechanics and repairing. Leaving that place, he entered his brother's harness shop, where he spent about six months, after which he went to Honolulu. On his return to Oakland, he went to work in the Imperial garage, with which he was connected until 1916, when he joined his brother, John E., and established a small garage at 1425 Alice street. Here they had a hard time getting things started, but, with a firm belief in their ultimate success, they stuck to it and their faith has been abundantly rewarded, as is evidenced by the extensive business which they now command in one of the finest garage buildings in this part of the state. The business is incorporated as the Oakland Garage, with John E. Lloyd as president and Thomas H. Lloyd as secretary. They display sound judgment in all of their affairs and have well earned the prosperity which is now theirs. In 1923 H. C. Broderick became a member of the firm.Mr. Lloyd was united in marriage to Miss Lois B. Wilson, of Cleveland, Ohio, and they are the parents of a son, David Wilson. Mr. Lloyd gives his political support to the republican party, while fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is governor of the Optimist Club and a member of the Oak Knoll Golf Club. He is a strong and persistent booster for Oakland, supports every measure for the promotion of the city's best interests along material, civic or moral lines, and commands to a marked degree the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen.

MARSHALL, DAN 1877-
Dan Marshall, who has for a number of years owned and operated the Foothill Service Station, at Estudillo avenue and Foothill boulevard, San Leandro, is one of the best known and most popular residents of Alameda county and, because of his progressive methods and square dealing, has built up a large and prosperous business.Mr. Marshall was born in San Lorenzo, this county, on the 5th of October, 1877, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Anna Marshall, both of whom were born in the Azores islands. On coming to this country, they first located in the east, where they were married, but they came to California at an early day, settling in San Leandro during the pi6neer history of that place. There they spent their remaining years, the mother dying when seventy years of age and the father at the remarkable age of one hundred and two years.Dan Marshall spent his boyhood under the paternal roof and secured his education in the public schools. Since attaining mature years he has always been in business for himself, excepting for a period of five years when he was employed as foreman in the yards of the Best Tractor Company at San Leandro. He engaged in the grocery business at Fruitvale for several years, after which he turned his efforts to the wholesale fruit and vegetable commission business, with headquarters at 1027 Harris street, Oakland. While in that business he formed a wide acquaintance with the fruit raisers, gardeners and farmers all over the county, an acquaintance which in later years has been greatly to his advantage, as many of the patrons of his present establishment come far out of their way in order to give him their business. The Foothill Service Station, which now requires his entire time and attention, has proven a very successful enterprise, due to the painstaking care which he gives to the wants of his customers. He carries Standard, Richfield and Shell oil and gas, gives free crank-case service, carries a large line of tires, tubes and accessories, and in connection with the station operates a neat and well equipped refreshment stand for the convenience of the traveling public. Courteous, pleasant and accommodating, Mr. Marshall has made many warm friends among his patrons, and his business is showing a steady and satisfactory increase.In 1910, at San Leandro, Mr. Marshall was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Matoza, a member of one of San Leandro's early families, and they are the parents of four children, Evelyn, Harold, William and Elsie.Mr. Marshall is a member of the I. D. E. S. He stands for all those things which tend to better living conditions and advance the public welfare and is regarded as one of the up-to-date and public-spirited citizens of his section of the county, well worthy of the confidence and respect which are accorded him by his fellowmen.
[From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

MOTT, FRANK K. (1866-1958)
Among the prominent and representative men of Alameda county none stands higher nor possesses a wider circle of friends than Frank K. Mott, the mayor of Oakland. A self-made man who, by his natural leadership, initiative and unswerving principles of honor, has risen from humble station through the several positions of messenger boy, clerk, merchant, real-estate dealer, member of city council and several times mayor of Oakland. In every capacity he has measured up to the highest standards of efficiency and more than satisfied the expectations of his friends and party. Frank K. Mott was born in San Francisco, January 21, 1866. His parents, Peter D. and Fannie K. Mott were from New York state and settled in San Francisco at an early day. Leaving school at the age of twelve years and working as a messenger boy for the Western Union and American District Telegraph Company, his education was of necessity very limited. However in a year's time he had advanced to the position of clerk and collector for the company, and he remained there for four years, at the end of which time he entered the employ of George S. Brown, a hardware merchant of Oakland. When he was twenty-two years of age Mr. Mott entered into partnership with A. E. Howard and together they succeeded to a part of the business. This firm continued for eleven years when Mott bought his partner out and became sole proprietor. In January, 1907, he sold his mercantile business and founded the well known firm of Frank K. Mott Company, real-estate brokers, whose extensive dealings and manifold improvements have helped so materially toward a greater Oakland. In the meantime, in 1897, he was appointed to the city council and chairman of the committee on finance by Mayor Pardee, afterward governor of California. In this capacity he served for two years, the last year of which time he was president of the council. In 1899 he was elected on the republican ticket to the council again. Another honor was bestowed upon him in 1905 when he was elected mayor of Oakland on the republican ticket, having also received endorsement of the democratic party and the Municipal League. He was elected again in 1907 to succeed himself, being a candidate of all parties. Since then two elections have been held, in 1909 and 1911, and he has been reelected both times. Mr. Mott is a member of the Nile and Athenian Clubs, and is active in Masonic, Elk, Knights of Pythias, Moose and Native Sons orders. He has also served on the republican state central committee. He is organizer, president and stockholder of the Frank K. Mott Company and several allied corporations. He is director in the Security Bank & Trust Company and was president of the League of California Municipalities. Mr. Mott was married in 1911 to Mrs. Gertrude Bennett. Frank died 12-16-1958 at the age of 92.
[Past and Present of Alameda County by J. Baker, 1914] Submitted by BLCW.

OTIS, FRANK
In many respects one of the most distinguished citizens of the East Bay district is Frank Otis, who has held the office of mayor of Alameda continuously since 1919, and whose record of public activities has made him one of the most favorably known men in this section of the state, while in the profession of law he has long been regarded as the peer of any of the members of the Alameda county bar. Mr. Otis was born in San Francisco on the 18th day of November, 1852, and is a son of Stephen and Harriet (Dennett) Otis, who were pioneers of California, he having made the long journey around Cape Horn and she by way of Panama. He was reared in San Francisco, attending the grade and high schools, and then became a member of the first freshman class to enter the University of California under that institution's state charter. He was graduated, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1873, in the first class graduated from the present university campus, receiving the university gold medal awarded for the highest scholarship. Subsequently in 1876 the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He then turned his attention to the law, studying under the preceptorship of Judge Selden S. Wright, and later of Edwin B. Mastick. Mr. Otis was admitted to the bar in Sacramento, April 11, 1876, and became associated with the law firm of E. B. & J. W. Mastick. From that time until 1919 Mr. Otis was associated with various lawyers, but from that date has been alone in the practice. Possessing a keen and analytical mind, he has always been painstaking and thorough in the preparation of his cases and in the trial of causes has proven skillful and resourceful, while as an office counselor he has long been regarded as a sound and dependable advisor.In 1880 Mr. Otis was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia Lockwood Mastick, a daughter of his early associate, Edwin B. Mastick, and two sons born to this union are now living, namely, Edwin M., an attorney residing in Alameda and a former state senator, and Stephen F., an attorney in Sacramento. Mr. Otis began his public career as a member of the city board of education in 1899, serving eight years, during six of which he was president of the board. He was elected near the end of 1906 to the state assembly, representing Alameda county from 1907 to 1911.While a member of the assembly, he sponsored in 1909 the well known anti-race-track gambling bill which closed for gambling purposes the race-tracks of California. He likewise was the author of the certified milk bill which initiated the procurement of pure milk by the people of this state. He was mayor of Alameda from 1913 to 1915, and was a member of the board of freeholders, also presiding over a later board which prepared the. city manager charter for Alameda. In 1917 Mr. Otis was elected a member of the city council, serving in that capacity until 1919, when he was chosen mayor, and is now the incumbent of that position. During all the years of his residence here he has evinced the keenest interest in the welfare of his community, lending his efforts and his influence to its advancement and betterment along civic and moral lines. During the world war he worked actively in the furtherance of the various war measures. He headed the executive committee on all of the Liberty Loan drives in Alameda, each one of which exceeded the apportionment, and was an effective four-minute speaker. Mr. Otis is a member of the Society of California Pioneers, the Commonwealth Club, the San Francisco Commercial Club, the Sierra Club, has served as head of the Unitarian Club of America and as a director of the Olympic Club and the Mercantile Association of San Francisco. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Sons of the American Revolution, and is one of the charter members of the California Alpha of Phi Delta Theta, belonging also to the Golden Bear Society and the Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Otis has traveled widely, having visited practically all of the larger cities of the world, and in 1889-90 made a memorable trip of one hundred and thirty days on a clipper ship from San Francisco around Cape Horn to Liverpool. He is a man of vigorous and alert mentality, is remarkably well preserved physically, and, though advanced in years, is still young in his interests. His has been an active and useful life and no citizen of his community commands to a greater degree the confidence and esteem of the people.
[From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

PROIETTI, GUISEPPE 1882-
The career of Guiseppi Proietti, of San Leandro, affords a concrete example of what may be accomplished through industry, persistence in pursuit of a definite object and the exercise of intelligent judgment, for he began his life in this country without capital or influential friends and has succeeded in attaining a measure of prosperity that places him among the successful business men of his community. Mr. Proietti was born near Rome, Italy, on the 23rd of February, 1882, and is a son of Appolinare and Margerita Proietti. He had but little opportunity in his boyhood to secure an education, for when he was nine years old his father died and three days later he was compelled to start to work in order to support his mother and family. He was employed as a carpenter and at any other work he could find. until 1898, when, at the age of sixteen years, he decided to come to the United States, having heard that larger opportunities for individual advancement could be secured here. He landed at New York city, and was employed in Pennsylvania. Ohio and Illinois, working in stone quarries and at railroad construction. He was in Chicago when winter came on and he decided to seek a milder climate. Starting west, he stopped off in Wyoming and Montana, where he sought work, but being unsuccessful, continued on his way to the coast and arrived in San Francisco in January, 1907. His first job in California was with Charles Fay, ex-postmaster of San Francisco and a leading contractor, by whom he was employed in clearing up the wreckage of the Phelan building. After that he was variously employed until July 4, 1908, when he started to sell flowers on the street. In his first attempt he met with encouraging success and continued at it for some time, after which he obtained employment in various retail flower stores in that city, following that line of work for three years. He then began buying flowers from the growers in Alameda county, coming down as far as Niles, Hayward and Centerville. He walked down, packed his flowers in a basket and then returned to San Francisco on the street car. This also proved a good move and he continued at it successfully for three years, when he decided to go into the florist business, and to that end, in 1919, he bought six and twenty-two hundredths acres of land about one and three-quarter miles south of San Leandro, on which he erected a greenhouse. Each. year since then he has made a substantial improvement on the property, until he now has twelve large greenhouses, with a good boiler plant and a turbine pump system, driven by electric power. He has invested approximately seventy-five thousand dollars in this plant, which is modern in every respect, and his sales now amount to about twenty-five thousand dollars annually, his flowers being sold to San Francisco and Oakland dealers. The place is known as San Leandro Gardens and he has gained a wide reputation for the high grade of his flowers, mainly rose, tulips, daffodils, gladiolas, peonies and sweet peas, while he has so conducted his business affairs as to command an excellent credit rating.On August 12, 1925, in San Francisco, Mr. Proietti was united in marriage to Miss Christina Frigara, who is a native of Genoa, Italy. In 1904, in Youngstown, Ohio, Mr. Proietti was made a citizen of the United States and he gives his political support to the republican party. He is a member of the Italian Club of San Leandro and is deservedly popular among his associates, while throughout the community he commands the confidence and respect of his fellowmen. [From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

STANLY, Edward, (1810 - 1872)

Edward Stanly, (son of John Stanly), a Representative from North Carolina; born in New Bern, N.C., January 10, 1810; attended New Bern Academy and was graduated from the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy, Norwich University, in 1829; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1832 and commenced practice in Washington, Beaufort County, N.C.; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1837-March 3, 1843); chairman, Committee on Expenditures on Public Buildings (Twenty-sixth Congress), Committee on Military Affairs (Twenty-seventh Congress); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1842 to the Twenty-eighth Congress; member of the State house of representatives 1844-1846, 1848, and 1849, serving as speaker in 1844-1846; attorney general of North Carolina in 1847; elected to the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses (March 4, 1849-March 3, 1853); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1852 to the Thirty-third Congress; moved to California in 1853 and practiced law in San Francisco; unsuccessful Republican candidate for Governor of California in 1857; during the Civil War was appointed Military Governor of eastern North Carolina May 26, 1862, with rank of brigadier general, and served until March 2, 1863, when he resigned; returned to California and resumed the practice of law; died in San Francisco, Calif., July 12, 1872; interment in Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland, Calif.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States 1774-present.) SUBMITTED BY LINDA R.

THIELE, JOSEPH
Joseph Thiele, who is conducting a successful poultry farm near Hayward, deserves great credit for what he has accomplished here, his success being due entirely to his determined and tireless efforts along scientific lines. Mr. Thiele was born in Bohemia on the 27th of April, 1894, and when about ten years of age accompanied his parents to San Francisco, California, where he attended the grammar schools. He was then apprenticed to learn the trade of a coppersmith in the plant of August Shafer, at Sixth and Briant streets. Later he went to San Bruno, San Mateo county, where he worked as a cowboy on the Jersey farm, afterwards entering the employ of Miller & Lux, for whom he rode the range on their ranch at Los Banos, Merced county. Later he rode the ranges in Nevada and Oregon and on his return to California worked on the Spreckels ranch at Soledad, Monterey county, where he served as field boss for three years. Going then to Taft, Kern county, he worked for the Standard Oil Company, and was later with the same company at Coalinga, Fresno county. In 1920 he bought his present place in the hills back of Hayward, where he has developed a fine poultry farm. He keeps White Leghorn chickens, brooding and raising about twelve thousand a year. He sells the pullets when three months old and, all being pure bred stock, he receives a dollar each for them. He has two thousand laying hens and at times has had eight thousand chicks one week old. He thoroughly understands his work and is meeting with well merited prosperity.Mr. Thiele was married to Miss Eleanor Cummings, a native daughter of San Francisco, and they have two children, Claire and Harold. Mr. Thiele is a member of all branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and belongs to the Hayward Poultry Breeders Association and the Alameda County Farm Bureau. He displays a high type of business ability in his affairs, is scrupulously honest in all of his relations and among his acquaintances commands confidence and respect.
[From “History of Alameda County, California"by Frank Clinton Merritt, published 1928 transcribed by Karen Seeman]

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