California

Biographical Sketch of Roy W. Cloud

As head of the San Mateo County school system, Roy W. Cloud, Superintendent of schools, is known in almost every household in the county, and he is known to be fully competent and capable to discharge the responsibility that falls upon one in charge of the county’s future citizens. This is Mr. Cloud’s ninth year of office, having been elected for a third term in 1914. During his incumbency the San Mateo County schools have expanded to one of the finest systems in the state with a teaching corps and a set of buildings that should be a pride to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Frederick Chilcott

Among San Mateo County’s foremost citizens is R. F. Chilcott of Redwood City, secretary of the San Mateo County Abstract Company, who has been intensely active for the past twelve years in the affairs of the county and particularly those of Redwood City. After a thorough training in abstracting and record searching in other counties of the State of California and the State of Washington, Mr. Chilcott came to Redwood City in 1904 to engage in this line of work. Days spent, year in and year out, examining the San Mateo county records has made him an authority on this … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. J. E. Chapin

An important addition to the medical fraternity in San Mateo county is Dr. J. E. Chapin who came to Redwood City three years ago to practice medicine. Dr. Chapin came to Redwood after an extended practice in several large cities and a vast experience in his ‘profession. Since taking up his residence in Redwood City, Dr. Chapin has become intimately associated with the social and business life of Redwood City. His engaging manner and charming personality have drawn many people to him and the small circle of friends that surrounded him when he arrived, has gradually enlarged until it now … Read more

Biographical Sketch of P. P. Chamberlain

Mr. P. P. Chamberlain came to Redwood City in 1868. He accepted the first position that offered and became grocery clerk for Isaac M. Schlouecker. Soon after this he went into the merchandise business with W. J. Wilcox, and after the withdrawal of his partner, carried the business on alone, under the name of P. P. Chamberlain which firm is still in existence. During early days of the grocery business, Mr. Chamberlain was elected county treasurer which office he has faithfully administered for more than thirty years. Mr. Chamberlain is interested in the Redwood City Building and Loan Association and … Read more

Biography of John E. Casey

Mr. Casey was born in the county where he has spent both his activities in business and public life. He was born on January 10, 1861 in San Mateo and grew up on his father’s ranch of 327 acres which was located just six miles out of town. About sixteen years ago this ranch was sold by Michael Casey, his father, to the Spring Valley Water Company at a fraction of the amount that the land would command at the present time. Mr. John E. Casey has successfully turned his talents to two totally different pursuits, dairying and contracting. For … Read more

Biography of James T. Casey

A broad stretch of waste at San Francisco’s door, which was spanned by an almost impassable road and a set of rails twenty years ago, is now one of the most highly developed and thickly populated parts of San Mateo County, a district of homes, boulevards, large industrial plants and towns. This is the first township of San Mateo County. At present the first township is represented on the Board of Supervisors by James T. Casey, a man who was born and raised in this district and who has passed through, with it, all its successive stages of development. Born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph J. Bullock

Of the names connected with the San Mateo County Bar few stand out more prominently than Joseph J. Bullock. Mr. Bullock is still practicing at Redwood City and is finishing the twenty-fifth year that he has been before the courts of this county. Mr. Bullock has also played a leading role in the public life of the county. In 1897 he was elected to succeed H. W. Walker as District Attorney. In 1901 he was elected to succeed himself in that office and in 1905 he was returned to that position for a third time. Being for 12 years in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Judge George H. Buck

Few names stand out more prominently in the history of California jurisprudence than that of George H. Buck, Superior Judge of San Mateo County, who is completing his twenty-fifth year on the bench and his thirty-third year in public office. As a jurist Judge Buck is one of the most eminent in the State. In addition to sitting on the San Mateo County bench, Judge Buck has been called many times to preside for other judges, and three years ago Governor Johnson appointed him to fill Judge Dooling’s unexpired term when he left the San Benito county court to become … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Buchmann

Edward Buchmann is one of San Mateo’s oldest merchants, having been in business in that city for more than a score of years. He was founder of Buchmann’s Hotel and the San Mateo Bakery, both of which have become old landmarks and have kept up with the pace of the times. For many years Mr. Buchmann was the proprietor of a wholesale liquor store. In 1914 he bought out the San Mateo grocery and combined it with his liquor business. He now operates them both under the name of “E. Buchmann & Co., Wines and Groceries.” Mr. Buchmann has been … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Brown

No person is more responsible for San Mateo County’s highway system than William H. Brown, Supervisor from the Second Township. The scenic boulevards which lure thousands of autoists into the county every day is a realization of Brown’s dream of years ago. The second township shows Brown’s good roads mania. Practically all its paved roads and boulevards have been built during his term of office. At a cost of $10,000 he has just completed the resurfacing of the road from Beresford to Redwood City. As a member of the Board of Supervisors and chairman for one term, Brown has worked … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. E. F. Brown

Few residents of this county realize that just north of Redwood City is the largest and possibly the most valuable lot of dogs on the Pacific coast. The kennels called the Browndale Kennels and famous in dogdom the world over, are conducted by Mrs. E. F. Brown who has been interested in dogs for many years. Mrs. Brown specializes in collies and the dogs which she owns of this breed are the best in the world. A still greater honor that comes to Mrs. Brown is the fact that the dogs that have defeated all comers in shows in all … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. William Ansyl Brooke

Dr. Brooke was born 52 years ago at Dranion Springs, a little town near Placerville in El Dorado County. He studied medicine at Cooper Medical College in San Francisco, and practiced first in Sacramento, as intern in the City and County Hospital, later moving to Alameda. He came to Halfmoon Bay, eleven years ago, and has resided there ever since. He is a member of the San Mateo Medical Society, State Medical Society and American Medical Association. He was appointed Coroner and Public Administrator on April 7, 1915, which term he is now serving. His personal popularity and professional ability … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. W. A. Brewer

No man has been more closely identified with the growth and best interests of San Mateo County than Rev. W. A. Brewer, Mayor of Hillsborough and, until its discontinuance a few months ago, rector of St. Matthew’s Military School. Mr. Brewer is known throughout the State for his tireless energy in putting the county in the foreground. He was one of the organizers and the first president of the San Mateo County Development Association. As its executive he contributed perhaps more than any one individual in putting this organization on its firm basis and in bringing about the achievements and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of L. C. Brandt

One of the great army of commuters who believes that there is no place like San Mateo for the home of the San Francisco business man, is L. C. Brandt, manager of the San Francisco branch of the Buffalo Brewing Company of Sacramento. Mr. Brandt moved down the peninsula six years ago, and each succeeding year has strengthened the convictions which caused him to locate in San Mateo. The city has profited handsomely by having Mr. Brandt as a citizen. When he bought property in San Mateo Heights he started to safeguard the interests of that district. He became one … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Maurice F. Boland

Maurice F. Boland, proprietor of Boland’s Cigar Store and Billiard Room in San Mateo, and for eleven years Chief of Police of San Mateo is well known throughout the county. As police chief, Boland had an enviable record. In addition to preserving order in the community, Chief Boland figured in the capture of many famous criminals. So satisfied were the citizens of San Mateo with his work, that he was re-elected several times and was in office at the time his business interests forced him to retire from public life. Of powerful physique Boland was a splendid athlete when a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank B. Bettencourt

With a record of having shown over 14,000,000 feet of film, Frank B. Bettencourt, operator at Hart’s Peninsula Theatre in San Mateo, lays an easy claim to being the leading moving picture operator in the county. Mr. Bettencourt went into moving picture business when it in its infancy. He began in San Mateo with Charles Hart. In the eight years that he has operated the cameras in Mr. Hart’s theatre, Mr. Bettencourt has projected over 14,000 reels which include all the important pictures that have been manufactured. During his spare time Mr. Bettencourt has conducted extensive investigations and experiments. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Arthur J. Belton

Dr. Arthur J. Belton, dentist of Burlingame, stands prominently among the large class of young professional men who have selected San Mateo County for their field of practice. When Dr. Belton took his degree at the University of California in 1910 he was confronted with the most important question of his career, where to locate and establish his practice. A painstaking and thorough investigation, which is characteristic of Dr. Belton, was made before he paid Burlingame the high compliment of deciding that it was the field of greatest opportunity for a young man starting out in a profession. Dr. Belton … Read more

Biographical Sketch of L. P. Behrens

Few men have brought more honor and recognition to San Mateo county then L. P. Behrens, cashier of the First National Bank and president of the San Mateo County Savings Bank of Redwood City. As a banker and financier Mr. Behrens has become known throughout the state so favorably that the honor of being president of the California Bankers’ Association fell to him. This was a rare distinction to come to a man from a county which had so few members of ‘the Association and was so unimportant compared with the great financial centers of the state. As a recognition … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frederick Ernest Beer

Frederick Ernest Beer, one of the proprietors of the San Mateo Garage, came to San Mateo in 1907, and with his partner, Mr. C. B. Morton, opened the San Mateo Garage and Machine Works. Since then the business has steadily grown, and today is one of the largest on the Peninsula. Mr. Beer’s early business training fitted him splendidly for the managership of a garage. By profession he was a mechanical engineer and for six years he was connected with a firm which manufactured mine supplies. He traveled into all corners of the globe installing mining machinery. He was also … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Andrew Skelly Barron

When Andrew Skelly Barron, of good Scotch stock, landed in New York City fifty years ago with his bag of luggage and pocket of savings, he first did two things. He took out his naturalization papers and became a citizen of the United States the day he arrived; and then looked for the land of the greatest opportunity. In this quest the good ship Moses Taylor brought him around the Horn to San Francisco. Having been raised on a farm, Mr. Barron followed agricultural pursuits which eventually brought him to San Mateo County. This was twenty-six years ago. At that … Read more