One of the commanding figures of the business life of Contra
Costa County is Charles G. Bacon, who is at the head of the Richmond
Abstract & Title Company. His career is one of distinct usefulness and a
benefit to the community in which he lives. He has many important interests
that under his leadership have grown and expanded. He was born at Columbia,
Tuolumne County, California, March 25, 1868, son of Pyam Bartlett and Marion
Helen (Bowne) Bacon. Mr. Bacon's father was a native of Ohio, and his mother
was from Michigan. In 1853 they came to California and settled in Tuolumne
County, where they always resided. The mother passed away in 1899. The
father is living a retired life at the old homestead, one of the most
influential and representative citizens of his locality. He has always taken
a keen interest in political matters, serving his county in the State
Assembly, and for many years was postmaster in Columbia. He had the
distinction of installing the first hydraulic mining machinery in that
county. The subject of this review acquired his education in the public
schools of his county. Laying aside his books, he became identified with
ranching and the wood business, and this he followed for five years. For the
past twenty years he has been engaged in searching records. In 1907 he
removed to Martinez, where he opened an abstract office. Here he soon had an
extensive business. In this connection he became familiar with conditions
and the need of a similar business in Richmond, and in 1914 the Richmond
Abstract & Title Company erected its present commodious brick building on
Twenty-second Avenue, where he is now located. Mr. Bacon has displayed
extraordinary executive ability, and has succeeded in building up one of the
most successful systems in the State for handling his work. In this
connection the Richmond company has installed the only photographic plant in
California. Careful of his own interests in Martinez, he has always
considered those of others who are identified with him in the company. The
Richmond Abstract & Title Company is composed of the leading real-estate
men, bankers, and attorneys. Politically, Mr. Bacon is registered as a
Republican, and has served four years as city trustee of Martinez.
Fraternally, he is a member of the B. P. O. E. of Richmond and the I. O. O.
F. of Sonora. On June 22, 1908, he was united in marriage to Miss Irene
Hall, a daughter of Josiah and Sarah Hall, of Sonora, Tuolumne County. Her
father was engaged in the mercantile business, and at one time owned many of
the valuable mines in Tuolumne County. Her father was engaged in the
mercantile business, and at one time owned many of the valuable mines in
Tuolumne County. Mrs. Bacon is actively engaged in the club and social
circles, and us a member of the Women's Improvement Club of Martinez. She is
also an active member of the Episcopal church.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California",
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, p. 472.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, August, 2006.
Prominent among the representative men of Richmond, and one
whose ability is recognized as a contractor, is Charles Johnson. He is a
native of Sweden, and was born March 28, 1875. He received his education in
his native land. Laying aside his books, he started to learn the carpenter's
trade, which he followed for some time. He saw the possibilities of the New
World, and came to this country in 1896, at the age of twenty-one, locating
in Chicago. There for one year he followed his trade, and then removed to
Cadillac, Michigan. Later he heard the call to the West, and went to
Washington, locating in Spokane County, where for four years he was
connected with the Great Northern Railroad in its car department. In March,
1902, he removed to Richmond, where he readily found employment with the
Santa Fe Railroad, remaining with that company eight years. In the spring of
1911 he began contracting with gratifying success. Politically, Mr. Johnson
is a Progressive. He was united in marriage to Miss Nanei C. Westman, a
native of Michigan, December 2,1903. There one child, Axel Fairchild, was
born September 18, 1907. Fraternally, Mr. Johnson is affiliated with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is an active member in the
sister lodge, the Rebekahs. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have made many friends in
Richmond and are popular in lodge work.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California",
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, pp. 472-473.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, August, 2006.
Inthus Emlen Marshall, the present tax-collector and assessor
of Richmond, is one of the well-known, popular, and representative men of
this community. He was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, July 5, 1848. His
father came to California in 1852, during the gold excitement, and settled
in El Dorado County. Here he followed gold mining, and in 1855 the mother
and her two children, Florence (now deceased) and our subject, made the trip
across the continent. In 1858 the family located in Solano County, where the
father became interested in agricultural pursuits until his death, which
occurred in 1894, the mother having died in 1874. In 1880 the subject of
this sketch removed to Richmond, where he became a prominent contractor, and
in 1909 he was appointed tax-collector and assessor, which office he has
since capably filled. Mr. Marshall was united in marriage in 1884 to Mary
Bent, of Martinez. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic lodge,
being a member of the blue lodge and chapter. He is also a member of the Red
Men and the W. O. W. Mr. Marshall has proved himself eminently well
qualified to fill the office which he holds. His record is above reproach,
and the long period of his residence in the county has been fruitful and of
great good to the community in which he resides.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California",
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, p.473.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, August, 2006.