Contra Costa County
Biographies
ERNEST WILLIAM REHNERT.
One of the strong, forceful, and resourceful men, active and energetic among the early pioneers of Contra Costa County during the early days, was Ernest William Rehnert. He was born in Prussia on September 24, 1824, and in his youthful days he learned the trade of blacksmithing. About the age of twenty-one he started out in life for himself and traveled extensively. In 1847 he sailed for Galveston, Texas. He there worked at his trade for one year, after which he was identified with the United States army as blacksmith and veterinary. In September, 1851, he started overland through Mexico to Mazatlan, with horse-teams part of the journey and the balance of the way on pack-animals. He was accompanied by his wife and seven companions, who later sailed from Mazatlan on the schooner "Cornelius," arriving in San Francisco on December 16, 1851. In October, 1859, he removed to Contra Costa County and located on the San Pablo road, about two and a half miles from Pinole. Mr. Rehnert was united in marriage in San Antonio, Texas, June 13, 1851, to Barbara Miller, a native of Germany. To this union have been born five children: Charles W., Louise E., Annie Wilhelmina, whose death occurred on May 21, 1892. The other two children were twins, and died in infancy. Mr. Rehnert originally had about one hundred and twenty-five acres of land. This land was in litigation for forty years, the suit being finally decided against him and others in this locality, and he was forced to lose about one hundred and twenty acres. He held the homestead, of about five acres, and in order to have more land was obliged to pay one hundred and thirty dollars an acre. There are now about seventeen acres in the old home place. Mr. Rehnert's death occurred on September 6, 1892, and on July 28, 1898, his widow passed on. Charles W., the only son, was educated in the public schools and college. Finishing his schooling, he followed various vocations. He has been assistant superintendent in the Giant Powder Works, and was identified with the United States Powder Company at the time of the explosion. He married Hattie Ward, of San Pablo, on May 13, 1893, and their three children are Ernest V., who died at the age of nine years; Cecil Ward, born April 5, 1898; Thelma E., born May 8, 1906. The names of Ernest William Rehnert and his wife have long been held in the highest esteem in Contra Costa County, and their deaths were mourned by a large circle of friends.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 446-447
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
JAMES P. ARNOLD.
One of the widely known and enterprising men of Richmond, California, and one who has the confidence and esteem of all who know him, is James P. Arnold, former chief of police of Richmond. Mr. Arnold is a native son, and was born in Merced, April 26, 1875, a son of James W. and Mary Jane (Hargrave) Arnold. His father was a native of Iowa, and his mother was born in Illinois. His parents crossed the plains in 1853 and settled in Nevada County. Mr. Arnold's father was a cattleman, and later moved to Merced County, where he became one of the prominent citizens of that locality and was largely interested in the cattle business. He removed to Santa Clara County and died in San Jose in February, 1907. The mother of Mr. Arnold makes her home in San Jose. The subject of this review acquired his education in the public schools of Santa Clara County. He took up farming and rented four hundred acres south of San Jose. In 1901 he came to Richmond and was identified with the Santa Fe Railroad, where he remained for several months. He engaged in business and continued for nearly two years. He worked for the Standard Oil Company, and in 1909 was appointed chief of police of Richmond. Resigning in July, 1914, he became a candidate for sheriff of Contra Costa County. He is now the manager of the B. P. O. E. Club of Richmond. He was married on October 19, 1899, to Miss Edith Johnson, of San Jose. Mrs. Arnold is a native of Boulder, Colorado, a daughter of Daniel Johnson, a retired orchardist of Santa Clara County. There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold—Ila Lucile, Wesley James, Howard Stanley, and Ogden Mills. Politically, Mr. Arnold is a Republican and takes an active part in the ranks. He is a man of excellent judgment, fair in his views, and highly honorable in all his relations with his fellow-men. Fraternally, he is a worthy member of the B. P. O. E., W. O. W., and F. O. E. Mrs. Arnold holds membership in the Rebekah lodge, and takes an active part in all social affairs of Richmond.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, pp. 447-448
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.