Alameda County
Biographies
EUGENE E. TREFETHEN.
Eugene E. Trefethen, junior partner in the firm of Chapman & Trefethen, attorneys at law in Oakland, is a native son of the city, born January 11, 1875, his parents being Eugene A. and Ada S. (Van Syckle) Trefethen. Representatives of the paternal branch of the family, which was of Welsh origin, came in the early part of the seventeenth century from England to Maine, while the maternal ancestors were among the early Dutch residents of New York. The father of our subject came to California about the year 1869 and acquired valuable timber interests in this state.
Eugene E. Trefethen was reared on the east side of the bay and acquired his education in the old Lafayette and Cole grammar schools of Oakland, which he attended from 1883 until 1889. He was afterward a student in the Oakland high school from 1890 to 1892 and later took a post-graduate course in that institution. In 1893 he entered the University of California, but shortly before the completion of his course in the College of Social Science was compelled to leave without his degree on account of an injury to his eye. He went to Alaska and there spent two years engaged in mining and other occupations, numbering among his friends and companions at this time Rex Beach, the famous author. In 1898 Mr. Trefethen returned to the university and was graduated with the degree of Ph. B. with the class of 1899. He afterward took a course in shorthand and typewriting and in September of that year entered the law office of Chapman & Clift as stenographer and clerk. In his spare moments he studied law and on the 1st of September, 1901, was admitted to practice before the supreme court. The firm of Chapman & Clift was dissolved in 1902 and Mr. Trefethen remained with Mr. Chapman as assistant attorney until June, 1910, when he was admitted to partnership. He occupies a high position at the bar of Alameda county and enjoys in an unusual degree the confidence of his clients and the goodwill of his fellow practitioners.
On the 31st of August, 1905, Mr. Trefethen was united in marriage to Miss Georgia Van Voorhies Carroll, and they have become the parents of four children, Carol A., Dorothy J., Eugene E., Jr., and Van Syckle.
Mr. Trefethen is a member of the Nile Club and connected fraternally with the Royal Arcanum. He is one of Oakland's popular and representative citizens and in a profession where advancement depends almost entirely upon individual merit has made rapid and steady progress, standing today in the front ranks of able and successful attorneys.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 571
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
J. C. BLACK.
During a period of connection with the Standard Oil Company dating from 1897, J. C. Black has become known as one of the most capable and reliable representatives of that great corporation. He has risen in its service until he is now chief engineer at the large refining plant at Point Richmond. He was born in Indiana and reared in Chicago, Illinois, acquiring his education in the public schools of that city and in Armour Institute.
Following the completion of his studies J. C. Black entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company, a concern with which many of the members of his family had previously been identified. He first joined the company in 1897 at the refinery at Whiting, Indiana, and so quickly proved his ability that when they decided to erect a mammoth refining plant at Point Richmond in 1901 he was chosen to take charge of this work. He arrived in Point Richmond October 7, 1901, and has since remained a resident, witnessing the development of a little village into a prosperous community of sixteen thousand inhabitants. Mr. Black had charge of all of the construction work at the plant, which is one of the largest oil refineries west of the Mississippi river. It was erected at a cost of many millions of dollars and has since made Point Richmond famous as an oil-shipping center, the shipments averaging over one and one-half million tons a year. The capacity of the plant, which now covers three hundred acres of land and gives employment to two thousand men, will be doubled in the near future. Thus the importance of Mr. Black's position as chief engineer may readily be seen. Through seventeen years' connection with the Standard Oil Company he has proven his capability in positions of trust and responsibility as well as his integrity of character and his superior professional attainments.
Mr. Black is a director in the First National Bank of Richmond and has become well known in business circles of the city, where his ability and honesty are recognized and respected. He commands and holds the confidence and regard of all who are in any way associated with him.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 572
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
FRANK E. BROWNING.
The roster of city officials of Alameda contains the name of no more worthy, conscientious and capable public servant than Frank E. Browning, who since May 1, 1907, has filled the position of city clerk with credit and ability. He was born in Livingston county, Michigan, September 20, 1866, but he is nevertheless a representative of one of California's pioneer families, his birth having occurred while his parents were visiting in the east. His grandfather moved from New York to Livingston county, Michigan, in the early '30s and his father, Jacob Browning, came to California in 1849. He settled in San Francisco in the early days of the city's history and engaged in the teaming business there until three years before death, which occurred in 1909. He was one of the founders of the Mechanics Institute and a member of the Vigilance Committee of San Francisco and at one time owned all of the property upon which the St. Francis hotel now stands. His death was a loss to the city, as the ranks of her honored pioneers numbered one less, and was sincerely and deeply regretted by many friends to whom his upright character and genuine personal worth had greatly endeared him.
His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Zernah Smith, was born in Michigan, a daughter of William and Leah Smith, of Livingston. county.
Frank E. Browning grew to manhood in San Francisco, acquiring his education in the grammar and high schools of that city. In 1885, after his graduation from the latter institution, he joined his father in the teaming business and for thirteen years engaged in that occupation, building up a large and representative patronage. In 1898 he began his public career, entering the county clerk's office in San Francisco as deputy under Frank C. Jordan. After four years he came to Alameda and identified himself with the Pacific Light Company of this city, acting as collector and statement taker until April, 1907. In May of that year he was appointed city clerk of Alameda and he has served by reappointment since that time, his return to office signifying the high quality of his services and the excellent results which have attended his labors.
Mr. Browning married Miss Mabel Hussey, a daughter of George V. and Sarah A. Hussey, of San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Browning have become the parents of two children: George N., aged twenty-three; and Ella, eighteen. Mr. Browning is well known in local fraternal circles, holding membership in Alameda Lodge, No. 1015, B. P. O. E.; Alameda Aerie, No. 1076, F. O. E. and Alameda Lodge, No. 509, L. O. M. He was initiated into the Masonic order according to the Scottish Rite and is now a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 396, A. F. & A. M. He was for four years secretary of the Alameda Boat Club, of which he is still a member, and he is affiliated also with the California Pioneers. He gives a great deal of his time to the conduct of the affairs of his office and has made an excellent record for probity, enterprise and ability, a record which adds to the honor and esteem in which his name has long been held in this section of the state.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 573
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler