Contra Costa County
Biographies
JOSEPH T. BRENEMAN, M. D.
The history of Contra Costa County would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make prominent reference to Doctor Joseph T. Breneman, who has been actively engaged in practice as a physician and surgeon in Contra Costa County since the early '90s, and he is an able and representative member of the medical profession. Doctor Breneman was born in Hancock County, Ohio, January 23, 1849. He acquired his education in the public schools, the academy at New Middletown, Ohio, and the University of Iowa, graduating from the medical department in 1879. He began practice in Audubon, Iowa, where he remained for some years. Removing to Wellington, Kansas, he practiced until 1890, when he removed to California, located in Oakland, and practiced two years. He then went to Walnut Creek, where he acted as county health officer. He then took up his profession in Martinez, where he remained for fifteen years. While a resident of the county seat he acted as surgeon for the Mountain Copper Company for five years. He owned and operated a private hospital in Martinez. The Doctor has always enjoyed a large practice, which is proof of his skill and ability in the line of his chosen vocation. In 1911 he removed to Stege, where he has since resided. Doctor Breneman was one of the founders of the County Medical Society and acted as its first president. For years he was identified with the California State and American medical associations. He has filled all chairs in the I. O. O. F. Politically, he is a Democrat. On May 14, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Fannie I. Humphry. To this union have been born Fay, a teacher in the Fairmont School at Stege, and a graduate of the Lowell High School and the University of California; Hazel, a graduate of the Alhambra High School at Martinez and the State Normal school at San Jose, at present a teacher in the Stege public school; George, a graduate of the Martinez High School, at present in business in Martinez; Eullaia, wife of W. M. Staley, residing in Oregon; Flint and Frances, residing at home. Joseph Clayton, son of John R. Breneman, now deceased, also made his home with the Doctor. Doctor Breneman was reared on a farm, and his record is that of a self-made man. He has won distinction as an inventor, and patented the first hay elevator, under United States Patent No. 6,100,044. He has also invented many surgical instruments, and has a patent pending for a combined harvester.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 459-460
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
JULES TOUSSAINT,
one of the men of Contra Costa County who may be termed progressive, is the subject of this sketch. He is regarded reliable and foresighted, and he is a self-made man. He was born in Belgium, August 8, 1874. He received some schooling in his native land, and at the age of ten years he came with his parents to America, and located in Texas. His father was a farmer, and after attending school for a time in Texas, Jules assisted on the farm for a period of three years. His parents removed to San Francisco, and Jules, determined to gain a better education, attended the San Francisco schools. He then learned the painting trade and followed this vocation for a period of six years, after which he became engaged in a candy factory, where he remained for ten years. After the big fire he became associated with the Ramona Candy Company, of West Berkeley, where he remained for two years. His ambition and enterprise led him to Stege Junction, where he engaged in the grocery business, where he has since resided and carried on a profitable business. Politically, Mr. Toussaint is a Republican. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Eagles lodge of Richmond. He was united in marriage on October 15, 1899, to Miss Juliet Alphonse, a native of Oregon. Three children have blessed this union—Jules, born July 21, 1900; Lucile, born September, 1902; Ruth, born March 6, 1910. Mrs. Toussaint has shown a great deal of business progressiveness, and much of her husband's business success has been due to her energy.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 460
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
SIMON DEASEY,
creditably filling the position as manager of the Pacific Porcelain Ware Company at Richmond, was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on November 26, 1864. Following the completion of a public school education, he entered the pottery business in his native town, and has been connected with that kind of work since he was seventeen years of age. Mr. Deasey devotes all of his time and attention to the conduct of this concern, and, thoroughly understanding the business principles and detail, has met with gratifying success in his new field at Richmond. He was identified with the largest concerns in Trenton until he came to California, with the exception of eighteen months that he resided in Canada. In April, 1911, he took charge of the Pacific Porcelain Ware Company's plant, and has since filled this important position with gratifying success. Mr. Deasey is a member of the Moose lodge of Richmond. He was united in marriage to Miss Clarinda Bailey, a native of Staffordshire, England, October 14, 1885. To this union one son, Harold, was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on April 15, 1891. Mr. Deasey holds office in and is a director of the Building & Loan Association of Richmond.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 460-461
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.