Alameda County
Biographies
CHARLES D. BENNETTS.
Charles D. Bennetts, living in Oakland, is serving as superintendent of the commissary department for the San Francisco-Oakland Terminal Railway. His birth occurred in Ione, Amador county, California, on the 6th of October, 1877, his parents being W. A. and Eva Bennetts. It was in 1865 that the father came to
this state, settling in Ione, where he conducted a general merchandise store until 1912. During the past two years he has lived retired in San Jose.
Charles D. Bennetts attended the graded and high schools of Oakland until his graduation in 1897 and then returned to Ione, being there employed as guard in the Ione Preston School of Industry for one year. On the expiration of that period he came back to Oakland and for five years was engaged as clerk for Wells Fargo & Company.
Subsequently he became identified with the San Francisco-Oakland Terminal Railway as receiver, later was made storekeeper and afterward superintendent of the commissary department, in which capacity he has since ably served.
On the 16th of April, 1903, in Sacramento, California, Mr. Bennetts was united in marriage to Miss Hazel Maude Luce, by whom he has two children, Stewart and Ione, who are ten and seven years of age respectively. Both are public-school students. In politics Mr. Bennetts is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He is also a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Live Oak Lodge. He is well known as a man of strict integrity and sterling worth, as well as business capacity and enterprise, and his many admirable qualities have placed him among the respected citizens of his community.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 319
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
THOMAS P. EMIGH.
Thomas P. Emigh, engaged in the general insurance business in Oakland, has been continuously identified with that field of endeavor here since January, 1907, and is the county insurance expert. He was born in Rio Vista, Solano county, California, in December, 1878, a son of Thomas P. and Rachel (Lawhead) Emigh, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Ohio. The father came to California as one of the gold seekers of the '60s, but instead of spending his time in the mines he saw that there were good opportunities in the field of business and engaged in the mercantile and warehouse business at Rio Vista, Solano county, in which he continued for many years, becoming one of the best known men of that county, where he built up a business of large and profitable proportions. He afterward removed to San Francisco, where he continued in business for fifteen years and then retired from active commercial life in 1902, having acquired a handsome competence which enabled him to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest and enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. From 1874 he made his home in Oakland, there continuing until his death, which occurred in September, 1909, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. He was a valued and highly respected citizen of Alameda county, where his memory is yet cherished and honored. His widow spends much of her time at Ben Lomond, where she has a summer home.
In his political views Mr. Emigh was a stalwart republican, always active in support of the principles of the party yet never seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He was equally prominent in Masonry, holding membership in the craft for many years. He was a past master of Rio Vista lodge and held membership in the Knights Templar Commandery at Oakland. In all of his business affairs he displayed sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise, and his financial interests were varied and extensive. His opinions were highly valued by other business men, and he commanded the high regard and confidence of all with whom he came in contact.
Thomas P. Emigh, whose name introduces this review, spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended the graded and high schools of Oakland until the time of his graduation in 1899. Subsequently he spent three years as office man in the service of the British American Insurance Company in San Francisco and then became country man in the San Francisco office of the American Central Insurance Company of St. Louis, Missouri, holding the latter position until January, 1907. At that time he came to Oakland and embarked in the local insurance business on his own account, representing the Continental Fire Insurance Company and the Globe Indemnity Company, both of New York. He has since won a gratifying measure of success in this connection, writing a large amount of insurance annually.
In June, 1902, in Oakland, Mr. Emigh was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Holmes, by whom he has one child, Weldon, who is nine years of age and a public-spirited student. He is a republican in politics and a Protestant in religious faith, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, of which order he is a worthy exemplar. He is likewise a charter member of the Oakland Commercial Club. Public-spirited and progressive, he takes part in all movements undertaken in the interests of the city and is ever ready to participate in the promotion of worthy public enterprises.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 320
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler