Alameda County
Biographies
PERRY A. HAVILAND.
One of the most valued and representative citizens of Oakland is Perry A. Haviland, well known in official circles in Alameda county from his many years of continuous service in the department of engineering with which he is still connected as county surveyor. He was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, September 8, 1865, and there acquired a public-school education, later entering the Iowa State University where he took a thorough engineering course. After finishing his studies at the university he was tendered a position with the Union Pacific Railway Company in the engineering department and after several years' satisfactory service with them came to California. He established a private engineering office in San Luis Obispo and for two years did work of various kinds in line with his profession, serving as consulting engineer, draftsman, and in similar capacities. Following this he came to Oakland, where he took up his residence. At about this time he accepted a position in the city engineer's office, where he remained for several years.
Mr. Haviland has been connected with the department of engineering in various capacities in Alameda county for the past eighteen years. As county surveyor he has conducted the work of his office in a businesslike and systematic manner, and the public is to be congratulated in securing the services of a man of his broad experience, integrity and unquestioned ability in the engineering department of the county. He is uniformly courteous and prompt in his business transactions and in his dealing with his associates and office staff. The best proof of his popularity is the fact that he has, for two elections, received the indorsement of both the republican and democratic parties and at the last election was nominated by the republican, democratic and union labor parties. Mr. Haviland has recently had supervision of some very important public work. The county boulevard, which was planned by him, is widely known as one of the finest works of its kind in the state.
Mr. Haviland's marriage to Miss Anna Knight of San Francisco, who comes from a prominent English family, took place in that city in 1895. There are two children in the family, Marian, a daughter of eighteen and a son Carlton, aged fourteen.
Mr. Haviland has had to make his own way in the world and is what is generally called a self-made man. During his long residence in Oakland he has become well liked in both his social and business intercourse and has many firm friends throughout the county.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 7
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
ALAMEDA COUNTY ABSTRACT COMPANY.
The Alameda County Abstract Company, one of the leading business concerns of its kind in this part of California, was established in 1878, Wright and Lynch being the founders and owners. After a few years the concern was purchased by William Grier, who conducted it until 1901, when John McCarthy became the owner. Since that time he has been associated with W. H. Waste in the conduct of this enterprise, Mr. McCarthy being its president and Mr. Waste vice president. Under its present management the business has had a remarkable growth and is now the leading abstract company in Alameda county. When Mr. McCarthy assumed control in 1901 about fifty orders a month were received by the house. The monthly average today is five hundred and fifty orders and the entire business has expanded proportionately. The Alameda County Abstract Company purchased the plant of the Oakland Title & Abstract Company two years ago and is the only company in the county that has a complete title plant which enables it to do thorough and reliable work. The concern is well managed along progressive and modern lines and is a valuable contribution to the business resources of the city and county.
John McCarthy, president of the Alameda County Abstract Company, came to Berkeley in 1873, later removing to Oakland, where he now resides, honored and respected by all who know him. He has been in the abstract business for eighteen years and understands it in principle and detail, his experience and knowledge being salient elements in his success. He has always taken an active interest in community affairs, being in hearty sympathy with all movements to advance the permanent interests of the city. He has won a wide circle of friends, who hold him in the highest estimation for the many sterling traits of character which he has evidenced in many ways throughout his long career as a citizen of Alameda county.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 8
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JAMES B. BARBER.
The worth and fidelity of James B. Barber in positions of public trust is evidenced by the fact that since 1888 he has been continuously in public office and since 1894 has served by reelection as tax collector of Alameda county. He was born in Marysville, this state, November 9, 1850, and is a son of Arthur S. and Elmira (Burton) Barber, who came to Alameda, Alameda county, in 1853. In that city James B. Barber was reared and educated, attending public school until he was fifteen years of age at which time he laid aside his books and began his business career, working as a clerk in his father's grocery store and continuing there until he was twenty years of age. Being ambitious for a broader field of activity he learned telegraphy and was afterward for three years and a half in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad as operator, proving conscientious, prompt and able in the discharge of his duties. He resigned this position in order to go into business for himself, turning his attention to dealing in wood and coal in Alameda and building up a large and profitable enterprise along this line, a liberal patronage being accorded him in recognition of his upright and honorable business methods and his earnest desire to please his patrons.
Mr. Barber sold out his business interests at the end of three years and came to Oakland, accepting the appointment of deputy county tax collector, a position which he filled so ably and efficiently that in 1888 he was elected tax collector of Alameda county. He served two years and at the end of his term was elected city treasurer of Alameda, an office which he held until 1894. In the latter year he was again elected county tax collector, and he has served continuously since that time, his excellent record proving his business ability, foresight and discrimination.
In Alameda on the 25th of December, 1878, Mr. Barber married Miss Anna M. Cook, and both are well known in the city where they make their home as people of genuine personal worth and many fine qualities of mind and character. Mr. Barber is prominent in fraternal circles, being past master of Oak Grove Lodge, No. 215, F. and A. M., past president of Halcyon Parlor, Native Sons of Alameda and past chancellor of Alameda Lodge, No. 49, K. P. He belongs also to the Order of the Eastern Star and is a member of the Unitarian club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and he has always been stanch in his support of its principles and policies, upholding them both as a private citizen and as a public official. In the city where he has resided since the beginning of his public career, he is well known and deservedly popular, commanding the respect, esteem and confidence of all with whom he is in any way associated.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 9
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler