Prominent among the men who were conspicuous and influential
in developing and advancing the agricultural resources of eastern Contra
Costa County was the late William Henry Murphy, a son of Thomas Murphy, an
honored and esteemed citizen of this county, who came to California in 1856.
Thomas Murphy, the father of William H., was born in County Cavan, Ireland,
March 24, 1830. At the age of five years his parents left him in the old
country with an uncle and came to America, residing in New York for five
years. Thomas joined them at the age of seven. His parents removed to
Connecticut. Thomas received a common-school education and in June, 1856, he
started for California via the Isthmus route. He intended to return to New
York State in one year, but, liking the climate and resources of California,
he remained and sent for his family. On joining them he went to Napa Valley
and followed farming until 1867, when he removed to the eastern part of this
county and purchased four hundred and eighty acres where Knightsen is
located. In 1873 he purchased eleven hundred acres in Round Valley. At a
later time he purchased more land in Round Valley, and had at the time of
his death, which occurred in August, 1905, sixteen hundred acres. Thomas
Murphy was married in Mystic, Connecticut, to Miss Alice Ross. To this union
have been born five children, William H., the subject of this sketch, James
B., Annie L., Alice, and Hattie. William Henry Murphy was born in Napa,
California, and died June 9, 1910. He received his education in the Iron
House and Eden Plain schools, after which he attended the University of the
Pacific, at San Jose. Finishing his education, he returned to the home
place, where he was identified with general farming and stock-raising until
his death. He was a systematic and thoroughgoing farmer, and after his
father's death, by his enterprise, rendered both ranches the most attractive
in this section. He was held in the highest esteem by his fellow-men.
William Henry Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Braun, a
native of San Jose, and a daughter of C. W. and Florentine Braun. Mr. and
Mrs. Murphy were blessed with five children - Arthur Ray, born near Antioch,
March 9, 1889; Katie, born near Antioch, July 24, 1890; William Henry Jr.,
born in Round Valley, April 2, 1892; Esther, born in Round Valley, June 24,
1895; James Campbell, born at Brentwood, November 3, 1906.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa
County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1917, p. 552.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, October, 2006.
Although of foreign birth, no American-born citizen takes a
keener interest in the affairs of his country than Alexander Burness,
superintendent of Balfour, Guthrie & Company's interests in the beautiful
town of Brentwood, Contra Costa County. He has been a resident of California
for twenty-eight years. He has not only won a material success through his
energy and industry, but he is esteemed as a citizen of sterling worth, and
once upon whom the honor of any community may safely rest. Born in Dundee,
Scotland, January 16, 1861, he received his education in the old country. He
learned the machinist's trade and in western England was identified with the
Singer Sewing Machine Company, in its clerical department, for a period of
eight years, finally being made local agent. Upon coming to America, he
located in Merced County, where he was associated with the Chowchilla Ranch,
this corporation being originally known as the California Pastoral &
Agricultural Company of Edinburgh, Scotland. He then went to Bakersfield in
the capacity of superintendent of Balfour, Guthrie & Company's interests,
where he remained for a period of thirteen years. In June, 1910, he was
transferred by his company to Brentwood, Contra Costa County, as general
superintendent of their vast holdings. Mr. Burness' political affiliations
are with the Democratic party. Fraternally, he is a member of Brentwood
Lodge No. 345, F. & A. M., and is now serving as senior deacon of that
order. Mrs. Burness is an unusually capable and popular woman, and has held
the office of district deputy grand matron. Mr. Burness also holds
membership in the Eastern Star, and is past patron of the order. Their
daughter is organist. Mr. Burness was united in marriage to Miss Bertha M.
E. Johnson, a native of England, November 11, 1892, and to this union there
are five children - Christine M., born August 29, 1894; Muriel H., born
August 9, 1898; Alexander H., born November 2, 1900; Ernest H., born May
19, 1906. One child, a daughter, died in infancy. Mr. Burness is a
stockholder and director in the Bank of Brentwood, in which he holds the
office of vice-president. Scotland was the original home of the Burness
family, and the inheritance of Scottish descendants who through successive
generations have displayed vigor of intellect and sagacity of judgement. The
father of Mr. Burness was identified for over twenty years with the Denburn
power-loom linen manufacture in Brechin, Scotland, as manager, but came to
San Francisco, where he afterward died. He married Mary Forbes, a native of
Scotland, and to this union were born ten children, of whom eight are now
living, viz., Alexander, the subject of this sketch; Margaret, a resident of
Oakland; William M., retired, and a resident of San Francisco; John E.,
formerly chief engineer of the Fairmont and Palace hotels; Robert D., a
professor of music in San Francisco; Hector, who has been for many years
superintendent for Balfour, Guthrie & Company at Fresno, California;
Elizabeth, residing in Philadelphia; and Thomas N., a professor of music,
who still resides in the old country, and has been for over thirty years
organist in the Dalziel parish church in Motherwell, Scotland. The Burness
family are respected for their industrious and well-directed lives, their
integrity, and their devotion to their families and friends. The family
history has been traced back to Robert Burns, the poet, whose family name
was originally Burness. Mr. Burness has the original drawing of the Burness
coat of arms in his possession, which he values very highly; the drawing was
made April 26,1869.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California,"
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, pp.552-554.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, October, 2006.