CHARLES THOMAS SHELLENBERGER
Charles Thomas Shellenberger, a rancher for many years in
eastern Contra Costa County, is a man who occupies a prominent place among
the representative and highly esteemed men of that locality. He was born in
Illinois on January 29, 1868, and is a son of John Shellenberger, who was
numbered among the prominent men of Mackinaw, Illinois, and who served for
many years as justice of the peace in his locality. In 1889 Charles T.
Shellenberger removed to California. He worked out for a time, and later
bought forty acres in Deer Valley. He afterward purchased the adjoining two
acres, part of which was known as the Woodhall Smith place. He has always
carried on general farming. He is a man of industry and activity, and by
wise judgment and forethought has accumulated a competency. Mr.
Shellenberger was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Heidorn on October 17,
1894, and to this union there have been four children - Emma Charlotte, born
November 17, 1897; Frank Rattan, born March 20, 1899; Charles Thomas, Jr.,
born June 3, 1902; Henry Heidorn, born July 6, 1910. Politically, Mr.
Shellenberger is a Progressive. He has served on the Deer Valley school
board for many years. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic lodge
and the Foresters of Brentwood. His mother, Elizabeth (Sargent)
Shellenberger, was born March 19, 1834, and died August 21, 1876. His
parents were married March 3, 1853, and had ten children. His father was
born January 14, 1824, and died January 30, 1905. Charles T. Shellenberger
made his home in Deer Valley until 1908, when he removed to the Lone Tree
section, where he occupies the home formerly known as the Darby place.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California,"
Elms Publ. Col., 1917, pp. 537-538.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, September, 2006.
Lee Durham is a man who has by his own energy, ambition, and
enterprise worked his way upward to a place among the representative men of
eastern Contra Costa County. Mr. Durham was born near Concord, Contra Costa
County, April 15, 1873. He acquired his education in the public schools of
Concord, after which he took a business course. He became identified with
the Bank of Antioch, where he remained for a period of ten years as
assistant cashier. He then went to Martinez and was connected with the Bank
of Martinez as assistant cashier for ten years. A spirit of progress has
actuated him in all he has done, and success along banking lines has
attended his well-directed labors, so that he stands today one of the
practical men of eastern Contra Costa County. When the Bank of Brentwood was
organized, Mr. Durham was chosen as cashier and secretary, and has done much
in making this bank a success. He was united in marriage on June 29, 1904,
to Miss Alice L. Joslin, a daughter of S. B. and Mary Joslin. Mrs. Durham's
father was one of the pioneer settlers in Antioch, dying there in 1902.
Fraternally, Mr. Durham is affiliated with the Masonic lodge of Antioch, and
both he and his wife hold a membership in the Eastern Star. Mr. Durham is a
member of Mount Diablo Parlor of the Native Sons of Antioch. Politically, he
is registered as a Progressive. In all official and social relations Mr.
Durham adheres to high ideals and has the confidence and regard of the
entire community, and his circle of friends is constantly increasing.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California,"
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, p. 538.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, September, 2006.