Numbered among the esteemed and popular
residents of Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, is Norman H. Bennett,
cashier of the San Ramon Valley Bank, who is filling the position with
marked ability. He is a man of intrusted integrity, possessing good judgment
and tact. He is performing the duties devolving upon him to the entire
satisfaction of the public. Mr. Bennett was born in Iowa, June 12, 1883, a
son of Rudolphus and Mariette (Peck) Bennett, who were the parents of nine
children, of whom six sons and two daughters are living. The father was a
native of Vermont, and was prominently identified with his community as a
newspaper publisher. In 1887 he came to California, and located in San
Diego, where he published a news-paper. He is now retired, in his
ninety-second year. Mr. Bennett's mother was a native of Clinton, Iowa, and
her father was identified with the early history of that State, and was a
large landowner. The subject of this review has one brother, Ira E. Bennett,
editor of the Washington Post, in Washington D. C. He is one of the
remarkable newspaper men and authors who have gone to the East from the
San Francisco Chronicle. On December 9, 1916, he was elected president
of the Gridiron Club, the famous organization of the Washington newspaper
correspondents. This most coveted honor on the newspaper world has come to
Mr. Bennett after a long and distinguished service both in the East and the
West. Norman H. Bennett acquired his education in the public schools of San
Diego. He afterward became connected with the Trans-Pacific Steamship Line,
after coming to San Francisco. He later went with the Bank of California,
where he worked for many years, filling various positions of importance and
trust. In 1912 he organized the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of
Merced, California, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars.
Remaining with this institution for some time, he then accepted a position
with the San Ramon Valley Bank. Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss
Harriet L. Blackburn, a native of Paso Robles, California, June 1, 1905.
Their one daughter, Peggy, was born November 8, 1907. Mrs. Bennett's father
was one of the representative pioneers of that locality, and founded the
town of Paso Robles. He erected the magnificent hotel in that place, which
is connected with the baths known all over the country for their curative
properties. He was an extensive landowner, and was largely connected with
the stock business. He run at one time over twenty-two thousand sheep. Mrs.
Bennett takes an active part in the social life of Walnut Creek, while her
husband exercises a marked influence toward the advancement of the best
interests of his town. Politically, he is affiliated with the Republican
party.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California,"
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, pp. 594-595.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, November, 2006.
Richmond is indebted to M.
Emanuel, the founder and the president of the Ellis Landing & Dock Company,
for the development of Ellis Landing and the Ellis Canal, which adjoin the
great inner harbor. It was from that point the produce and freight of Contra
Costa County were shipped in pioneer days by Captain George Ellis, who
operated the schooners "Sierra" and "Mystery" until the Santa Fe Railroad
established its terminal at Richmond. Mr. Emanuel is one of San Francisco's
most esteemed business men. His past success and unquestionable integrity
are a matter of record. He was prominently associated with the wholesale and
importing business of California for twenty-five years. This practical
experience combined with his personal knowledge of the principal American
and European harbors caused Mr. Emanuel to appreciate the commercial
advantages of the geographical location of Ellis Landing and to foresee the
great values there when Richmond's destiny as a shipping and manufacturing
center is fulfilled. Mr. Emanuel is a native of California; born in San
Francisco in December, 1866; educated in London, England, Goettingen,
Germany, and other European schools. His father came to California from
Bavaria in 1850; his mother was born in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Emmanuel is
married and has one daughter, Josephine E. Emanuel.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County,
California," Elms Publ. Co., 1917
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, November,
2006.