Alameda County
Biographies
BERKELEY LUMBER COMPANY.
One of the representative business institutions in Alameda county is the Berkeley Lumber Company, which dates its origin from a time when West Berkeley was little more than a country village. Its growth has been coincident with the growth of the community, for since its foundation the business has been in the hands of progressive, far-sighted and able men, under whose direction it has advanced to its present large proportions.
The concern was founded about the year 1868 by F. B. Heywood, a member of the Heywood family, which has for years maintained a place of importance in the business life of California. F. B. Heywood was a native of Calais, Maine, and in 1850 sent his three sons around the Horn to California on the bark Ida. After a perilous voyage, during which they were marooned for some time on an island, they arrived in this state and after mining for a time in Yuba county, acquired property in San Francisco. In the early '60s F. B. Heywood followed his sons to the Pacific coast and in partnership with Mr. Jacobs entered into the mercantile business in Berkeley under the name of Heywood & Jacobs. They built the first wharf on the east side of San Francisco bay and established the first ferry line to San Francisco. One of F. B. Heywood's sons, Charles Heywood, engaged in the sheep business in the Napa valley for many years, driving his sheep to market from Napa to Oakland. In 1868 father and sons united in the foundation of a lumber business in West Berkeley, and they laid the foundation for the building of all of the cities on the east side of the bay. They furnished the lumber for many of the most important structures of the early times, these including the first building of the University of California. The firm continued for some time in a small way, but little by little extended its trade relations until it was finally sought after by many of the largest concerns on the coast. With the expansion of the business F. B. Heywood went to San Francisco, where he established a wholesale lumber business, leaving the West Berkeley concern in charge of another company under a lease.
After the death of F. B. Heywood his sons conducted the business in San Francisco under the name of Heywood Brothers for several years. Later Samuel Heywood, one of his brothers, took charge of the Berkeley establishment, having as a partner at that time Thomas Richardson, who continued as secretary of the company until he sold his interests to Mr. Heywood. A corporation was formed in 1900 under the laws of the state of California, the concern becoming known as the West Berkeley Lumber Company, and it was conducted by Charles D. Heywood, who was president of the concern, and Frank B. Heywood, the secretary and treasurer. In 1912 the company was reorganized and reincorporated under the name of the Berkeley Lumber Company and it has since enjoyed its usual prosperity. In 1907 the company disposed of the original property and established its present quarters at the foot of University avenue, the buildings extending to the bay in order that large vessels may come direct to the wharf for loading and unloading. January 1, 1914, the Heywoods sold the business after it had been in the control of the family for forty-six years, during which time it became one of the large enterprises of Berkeley and kept pace with the rapid growth of the community, increasing its capacity as its growing trade justified. Charles D. and Frank B. Heywood are prominent in public affairs, as was their father, the latter having served for a number of years as a member of the board of trustees and also as a member of the board of education. The Berkeley Lumber Company has been for many years one of the great single forces in the development of Berkeley and its inception and development were due to the energy, enterprise and business progressiveness which are characteristics of the Heywood family, and any mention of the company invariably brings to mind the family name with which it was so long associated.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 421
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JOSEPH W. KRAMM.
Joseph W. Kramm is identified with business interests in Oakland as secretary of the Golden West Brewery Company, which he assisted in organizing in 1910. His birth occurred in Oakland on the 5th of September, 1880, his parents being Charles and Augusta Kramm. The father, who was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 15th of November, 1836, there attended the public schools until fourteen years of age and subsequently emigrated to the United States and resided in New York for a short time. In 1860 he came to Oakland, California, and here worked in a brewery for a few years. He then embarked in the brewing business on his own account, conducting what was known as the Oakland Brewery at the corner of Ninth and Broadway until it was destroyed by fire in 1870. In that year he erected a brewery at the corner of Nineteenth street and Telegraph avenue and there carried on business until he sold out to the syndicate in 1888 and retired. His demise, which occurred on the 20th of December, 1890, was deeply deplored, for he had won many friends in both business and social circles during the thirty years of his residence in Oakland.
Joseph W. Kramm acquired his education by attendance at the public schools until 1894 and also spent a year as a student in Aydolett's Business College. Subsequently he was employed as brewer with the Anchor Brewing Company until 1902 and then purchased the plant, continuing its conduct until 1910. In that year, in association with several others, he organized the Golden West Brewery Company, of which he became secretary and the success of which he has since furthered in that capacity. The prosperity which has come to him, winning him recognition among the substantial and representative business men of his native city, is but the merited reward of ably directed effort and excellent executive ability.
Mr. Kramm was married in San Francisco in 1905 and has four children, one son and three daughters. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Kramm has supported the men and measures of the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with the Native Sons, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Sons of Hermann. He likewise belongs to the Turn Verein and the Knights of the Royal Arch. Energetic, diligent and persevering, he is always found reliable in all his business connections and stands for the progressive element in citizenship and for trustworthiness in every relation.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 423
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler