Contra Costa County
Biographies
GEORGE H. FIELD
is one of the successful and prominent contractors of eastern Contra Costa County. His birth occurred in Kent County, Canada, May 12, 1864, a son of Benjamin and Mary A. (Mitten) Field, both parents being natives of Canada. Mr. Field's mother passed away when he was but eight years of age. His parents removed to Reed City, Michigan, when George was young. Here he acquired a common school education. Early in life Mr. Field assisted his father and learned the carpenter trade. This vocation he has always followed with gratifying results. At the age of sixteen Mr. Field came to the Pacific Coast, where he readily found employment at his trade in Tacoma and Seattle, Washington. He removed to Stockton, where he resided for twenty years. Many fine business buildings and residences in Stockton, Pittsburg, Antioch, and surrounding communities testify to his skill and ability. For eight years he was identified with the Santa Fe Railroad, and had charge of bridges and buildings. Twelve years ago he severed his connection with the railroad, and has since followed contracting and building. Politically, Mr. Field is a Democrat. He takes a keen interest in local affairs, but has never aspired to office. He was united in marriage to Mary A. Sexton, of Stockton, California, on May 29, 1888. To this union have been born five children: Ruth, born December 29, 1890; Genevieve, born October 28, 1892; Percy, born January 10, 1897; Cyril, born January 24, 1895; Wesley, born February 21, 1900. Fraternally, Mr. Field is a member of Charity Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., of Stockton. He is held in high regard by his business associates by reason of his enterprise and integrity.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 437
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
ALDEN NATHAN NORCROSS
is one of the highly respected and representative citizens of eastern Contra Costa County. Energy, ability, and well-directed ambition, controlled by sound judgment, have constituted the foundation upon which Mr. Norcross built his success. He was born in Woodbury, Vermont, November 27, 1828, a son of Captain James R. Norcross and Eleanor (Blanchard) Norcross, who were from among the representative families of their section. Mr. Norcross's parents were both born in Vermont. His father was a farmer, and Alden assisted on the home place and attended school. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Norcross started out in life for himself. He went to Boston, where he engaged in the dray business, and has the distinction of building the first low dray in the United States, as far as he can ascertain. In 1861 he enlisted for three years, and was assigned to light horse artillery in Captain Nim's battery. Mr. Norcross served in the army three years, and during this time his brother Joseph carried on the business in Boston. In 1864 Mr. Norcross received an honorable discharge and returned to Boston, and there was actively engaged in his business for twenty years. Mr. Norcross has always been a lover of good horses and always owned the best, and it may be related here that while in the army he was selected on several occasions by his General and sent on one occasion to New Orleans, where he selected and took one hundred and seventy mules and one hundred horses back to camp. The General told Mr. Norcross's captain that when he wanted horses to have Mr. Norcross get them; that he knew good horses, and could get back in half the time required by the commissioned officers. Mr. Norcross spent some years in Texas, where he did farming and freighting. In 1890 he removed to California, and settled in the sandland section, which is now Oakley, where with Mr. Marsh he purchased twenty acres of land and platted the townsite. Soon after laying out the town Mr. Norcross and Mr. Marsh severed their business relation, and Mr. Norcross gave a half block for school and playgrounds, and presented two lots as a site for the Methodist church. In March, 1861, Mr. Norcross was married to Julia Langmaid, of Pittsfield, New Hampshire. To this union were born six children, of whom two are living, Bert Leland and Florence, the latter making her home in Antioch. Mrs. Norcross, wife of our subject, died in Pittsfield, N. H., in the early '70s. Politically Mr. Norcross is a Republican. While he has taken a keen interest in national affairs, he has never aspired to local office.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 437-438
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
BERT LELAND NORCROSS,
son of Alden N., was born at Summerville, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, January 4, 1872. Mr. Norcross acquired a common-school education, coming to California with his father in 1890. After reaching San Francisco and remaining over night, Bert started out alone over the mountains and landed in Brentwood, where he found employment with Henry McCabe at ranching. He worked out for five years and then purchased ten acres; to this soon after he added twenty-one acres, and has been constantly purchasing land, until now he owns one hundred and fifteen acres, all in almonds and walnuts of the choicest varieties. In 1915 Mr. Norcross shipped sixteen tons of nuts. Politically, he is a progressive. He has taken a keen interest in educational work, and assisted in building the first school in Oakley, and serves as a trustee. Mr. Norcross has taken an active part in the temperance movement in this county. He was twice married, the first union being to Phyllis Trembath, of Antioch; her death occurred in San Francisco. The second marriage was to Sophia Hamma, of San Francisco, October 30, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Norcross are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Norcross is one of the successful members of the county, and to him belongs the title of self-made man. Through his energy he has risen to be one of the leading men of the eastern part of Contra Costa County.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 438
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.