History of San Mateo County California Collections – Page 4 of 8

Biographical Sketch of Martin H. Walsh

One of San Mateo County’s oldest and most efficient peace officers is Martin Walsh, constable of the third township who preserves law and order in the aristocratic Menlo and Atherton districts. Mr. Walsh came to San Mateo County thirty-six years ago. He took up his residence in Menlo Park soon after his arrival and since then he has been one of Menlo’s most highly respected citizens. During his long residence in the county, Mr. Walsh has also been involved in public affairs. Thirty-two years ago he cast his vote for Judge Buck and P. P. Chamberlain and since then he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mark E. Ryan

Mark E. Ryan, electrical contractor and proprietor of Ryan’s Electrical Store in the Sequoia Hotel Bldg., Redwood City, arrived in that city seven years ago, after lie had traveled in all parts of the United States. The climatic advantages and business opportunities quickly appealed to Mr. Ryan, and lie decided to establish himself in business in Redwood City and make it his home. Mr. Ryan has had a wide and varied experience in electrical work which he has followed since boyhood. After completing his education in -New York City, he worked as a lineman in New York and large cities … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Leonides R. Dennison

South San Francisco is destined to become one of the great industrial centers of the west. in its massive plants thousands of workmen whose paychecks are the barometer of the city’s prosperity, are turning .out materials and articles of a quality that is distinctive to South San Francisco, and are making its products of world-wide fame. For this high standard of quality, credit is due those efficient men who direct this army of toilers. One of them is Leonides R.. Dennison who is superintendent of the great plant of the Steiger Terra Cotta and Pottery Works. Mr. Dennison has been … 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 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 Kenneth Milton Green

Kenneth M. Green, one of the County’s most promising and successful young attorneys, maintains his offices at San Mateo, in which City, he enjoys a large and growing practice. Mr. Green is essentially a local product, having come with his parents to San Mateo County at an early age. He is a graduate of the San Mateo Grammar School and a member of the first graduating class from the San Mateo Union High School, and is, at present writing, President of the Alumni Association of the latter institution. After attending Stanford University, he studied law. in one of the leading … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jurgen Frederick Wienke

Jurgen Frederick Wienke was born in Germany, July 15, 1844, where he was educated. At the age of twenty-five he left his native county to seek his fortune in the States, coming to California in 1869. He is an engineer by profession, serving in this capacity on the ferryboats in Germany. In 1881 he purchased a farm at Moss Beach and opened up a hotel for an investment, under the impression they were to put a railroad through his property within a year. But it was many years after before he saw this in reality, although his land has greatly … 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 Josiah C. Williamson

Josiah C. Williamson was born February 18, 1851, in Marshfield, Massachusetts, coming to Pescadero, California, December 14, 1869, via the Isthmus of Panama. He lost no time, but immediately engaged in the dairy business. After four years spent at this, he clerked in a store until 1885, when he opened up a general merchandise store, which is still continued by him and is the largest mercantile establishment in Pescadero. On December 14, 1879 he married Harriet Hornsinger. The children born to this union, who are now living, are: Frank, Gladys, and Elmira. Mr. Williamson served as postmaster in Pescadero for eight … 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 Joseph Debenedetti

The life of a successful father, standing before him as an example, Joseph Debenedetti forsook Italy’s sunny skies for the western lands of California. His father, John came to the United States in 1855, and in 1856 removed to the west. He mined for a short period, engaged in the mercantile business in San Francisco, and then went to Santa Clara where he died. Joseph Debenedetti was born in 1849. When only six years old he firmly made up his active mind to follow his father across the sea. In 1867 he set out for San Francisco via’ Central America, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph B. Gordon

Few men owe their success more to their own efforts than Joseph B. Gordon, junior member of the law firm of Kirkbride & Gordon of San Mateo. His path was not strewn with roses. It was one over which only sheer pluck, courage and perseverance can take the traveler. Mr. Gordon had had only a high school education when he aspired to be a lawyer. After preliminary study he became a law clerk with Mr. Charles N. Kirkbride in 1904. While so engaged Mr. Gordon took a four year law course at the San Francisco Law School. Before its completion … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John V. Doherty

One of the livest insurance brokers on the peninsula is John V. Doherty, city treasurer of Burlingame and one of the Queen City’s leading boosters. Doherty is primarily a Burlingame booster and the only time he is not talking about Burlingame is when he is talking insurance. No man can boast of having more data, figures and statistics on Burlingame’s growth at his tongue’s end than John V. Doherty. He is an authority on increase in realty values, public improvements, population increase, health and climatic statistics in so far as they concern Burlingame. Mr. Doherty has lived in Burlingame for … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Pitcher

An old and highly respected settler, being one of the original forty-niners coming across the plains from St. Louis in ox teams. He was born July 25, 1827 at Vincennes, Indiana; and has resided in San Mateo County for the past 55 years. Mr. Pitcher has the distinction of being the oldest public official, holding the office of Justice of Peace, for the past 35 years. Mr. Pitcher has been very successful during his stay in Halfmoon Bay, acquiring a large farm, town property in San Francisco and many other interests. Mr. Pitcher is today, what he has always been, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John J. Shields

San Mateo county is to be congratulated that the office of auditor, one of the most important functions in the county government is in the hands of such a competent person as John J. Shields who was elected by a handsome majority. When Mr. Shields began his duties he revolutionized the auditor’s office. The latest and most up-to-date systems of bookkeeping were installed and sweeping changes and improvements made, with the result that Mr. Shield’s office has been paid many flattering compliments by expert accountants. Before being elected county auditor, Mr. Shields was under sheriff for Sheriff J. H. Mansfield. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John F. Davis

John F. Davis, justice of the Peace in the first township and City Attorney of Burlingame, is one of the county’s promising young lawyers. He has practiced for the past eleven years, the last seven of which have been in the courts of this county. As City Attorney of Burlingame Mr. Davis has played an important part in the growth of that city. He has done all the legal work in connection with hundreds of thousands of dollars that Burlingame has spent on sewers, sidewalks and street improvements, the municipal water system and the extension of the city’s boundaries. During … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Edward Layng

One of the newcomers to Redwood City who has worked himself into the esteem of its citizens is John Edward Layng, one of the proprietors of the Redwood City Undertaking parlors. Since taking residence in Redwood Mr. Layng has won a place of prominence in its business and social life. He is accorded a place among the, town’s most enthusiastic boosters. Mr. Layng always finds time to point out places of interest to the stranger within the gates. Redwood’s even climate, accessibility, business opportunities and industrial advantages afforded by its water front that is yet only in the infancy of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse Penton

To Jesse Penton, landscape gardener of San Mateo, can be attributed the beauties of many of the pretentious estates for which the peninsula is famed. Mr. Penton has made San Mateo county his home for the last forty-five years and during that time he has laid out and superintended the gardening of many of the county’s show places. Hundreds of the homes around San Mateo owe their floral embellishments to Mr. Penton, but the work for which he is best known was done on the estates of Harry Hastings, Mrs. Bothin, R. G. Hooker, Henry P. Bowie, and C. Frederick … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse O. Snyder

In charge of the great plant of the Western Meat Company at South San Francisco which employs hundreds of men and turns out thousands of dollars worth of products monthly, is Jesse O. Snyder, a resident of South San Francisco for the past twenty years or more and one of its leading boosters. Mr. Snyder is a native of Pennsylvania and it was in Chicago that he gained his fundamental knowledge of the packing business. Before coming west he was with Swift & Co. He worked himself up to a responsible position with these interests who sent him out to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse Calvin Robb

One of the progressive and influential citizens of the first township is Jesse Robb of Millbrae, manager of the Millbrae Dairy and superintendent of the D O. Mills estate for the past twenty-seven years. Mr. Robb was born at Bonaparte, Iowa, on September 9, 1885 and came to California thirty-nine years ago. After passing ten years in San Francisco he became connected with the country estate of D. O. Mills at Millbrae. Under his supervision this has become one of the show places of California. Although busily engaged looking after this large tract of land, Mr. Robb found time to … Read more