Alameda County
Biographies
ADELBERT WILSON
From 1870 until 1912 Adelbert Wilson was connected with the police force of Oakland, with but two years' interruption, and from December 20, 1905, he served as chief of police. Under him the department developed and increased in efficiency and lawlessness in the city of Oakland was kept down at the lowest possible level. There is great credit due Mr. Wilson for what he achieved in his official position and many were those who voiced regret when he retired on account of ill health on a pension on October 1, 1912, although all recognized that this faithful and untiring official was entitled to a rest.
Mr. Wilson was born in Camden, Maine, January 8, 1844, and there received a serviceable public-school education, remaining in his native town until nineteen years of age. Being possessed of ambition and desirous to see the world, he decided to seek his fortune in the west, and in 1863 arrived in San Francisco, California. His first position was with Boswell & Geddes, who were located at Front and Commercial streets. He was willing to work and turned his attention to anything that would yield him a living. After he relinquished his first position he turned his attention to the blacksmith business, and subsequently, with his brother Edmund, engaged in the express business, and later owned the San Francisco newspaper routes of the News and Transcript of Oakland. On May 30, 1870, Mr. Wilson was appointed special officer in the police department in Oakland, and served in that position for four years and four months, receiving, on October 5, 1874, his appointment to the regular force. On October 15, 1877, he was made sergeant, but shortly thereafter, during the political excitement known as the "Kearney Workingmen's Movement," Sergeant Wilson and eighteen other officers were discharged. He was reinstated, only to be again dropped from the force and again taken on many times, according to what political leaders were in power. For example, on January 17, 1881, he was reappointed, and removed again on June 6th. He was not reappointed after his removal on June 6th until August 20, 1883, and from this time was continuously connected with the police force. On May 7, 1889, he was made captain, and for over sixteen years held that important position, being on December 20, 1905, appointed chief of police. Although different political administrations came and went, Mr. Wilson was retained as chief, which title was changed to that of superintendent of police, but under the new charter was again changed to chief. There is great credit due him for what he has achieved, for he rose from the ranks and by the faithful and fearless performance of duty and because of his natural ability became the head of the department.
Chief Wilson held office when the great fire in San Francisco occurred, and largely to him fell the handling of the immense crowds of homeless people who made their way to Oakland, accompanied by the usual lawless element. The magnitude of this task can be better appreciated when it is known that over two hundred thousand arrived in Oakland within three days. By promptly instituting strict rules Chief Wilson remained master of the situation, although he only had his regular force of seventy-one policemen. At the recent celebration in honor of the entrance of the Western Pacific Railroad into Oakland he again distinguished himself by handling an immense throng of one hundred thousand visitors, taking precautionary measures in advance of the occasion which made the affair pass off without a hitch, and not a single accident was reported. This excellent result was largely due to his personal diligence and inspection. Chief Wilson moved with the police department into Oakland's first city hall on August 9, 1870, one prisoner being removed at the time. The city jail was formerly where the courthouse now stands and the police court and police office were located on the southwest corner of Eighth street and Broadway. After forty years of most efficient service Mr. Wilson retired on a pension on October 1, 1912, and the good wishes of thousands accompanied him into a life of leisure, to which he is perhaps more entitled than any one man now living in the city.
On December 19, 1872, Chief Wilson married Miss Mary E. Poole, of Whitman (then Abington), Massachusetts, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Hamilton and taking place in Oakland. Of their three children all are dead. Florence married Wilbur Walker, Jr., and passed away October 18, 1913, leaving a daughter, Adele. Fraternally Mr. Wilson is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, and since February 12, 1872, has been a member of Oakland Lodge, No. 118, I. O. O. F. Both he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. His home is on Twenty-fifth street and was built by him many years ago, as he has resided there for twenty-eight years. On May 30, 1907, he was presented with a valuable diamond set gold shield by the members of the Oakland police force as a token of their esteem and friendship, the mayor of the city making a suitable speech at the time. Mr. Wilson has had few outside interests except those already mentioned, police efficiency being always foremost in his mind and his duties being the all important thing which continually occupied him. Courteous, affable and approachable, he is ever ready to do a kindness to those who need his services, and is esteemed for his unfaltering veracity, the purity of his motives and the sincerity of his opinions. As an official he has reflected honor upon the city of' Oakland and is a credit to the department of which he was so long the head.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 152
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
ALBERT C. BARKER.
Albert C. Barker, present city superintendent of the Oakland schools, was born in Canton, Maine. He attended the public schools of Turner, Maine, and the Maine Wesleyan Seminary. He served as principal of the schools of Mays Landing, New Jersey, for three years, and of Austin, Nevada, for the same length of time.
Mr. Barker then came to California, where he continued his education at Stanford University and the University of California. After leaving college he became principal of the high school and superintendent of schools in Salinas, from which position he resigned to accept a similar one in Eureka. Seven years later he came to Oakland and became principal of the Bay and of the Prescott schools. He was then elected city superintendent of Santa Rosa, but resigned this position to become assistant superintendent of schools in Oakland. In 1912 he became business manager of the Oakland schools, and on the resignation of Superintendent McClymonds became his successor.
In June, 1900, he was married to Miss Nettie E. Hindry. They have two sons, Richard and Horace Albert, who are eleven and six years old respectively. Superintendent Barker is a member of the Oakland Commercial Club and of several fraternal and local civic organizations.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 156
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler