Lewis Francis Byington, who has been engaged successfully in the practice of law in San Francisco since the year 1890, has achieved in his profession a prestige and standing that dignify alike his chosen vocation and the state of which he is a native son. Mr. Byington is a scion of one of the honored and influential pioneer families of California, and was born in Downieville, Sierra County, one of the historic mining towns of this state. He is a son of Lewis and Catherine (Freehill) Byington, the former of whom was born at Southington, Connecticut, of colonial New England ancestry, and the latter of whom was born in Ireland. Lewis Byington was a son of Zebulon and Abigail (Webster) Byington. Abigail Webster was a cousin of Daniel Webster. Lewis Byington, Sr., was an infant at the time of the family removal from Connecticut to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the home was established in a house that stood on the present site of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. Lewis Byington was reared and educated in the “Queen City” of Ohio, and was a young man when he set forth to gain pioneer honors in California. He made the voyage around Cape Horn and arrived in the Port of San Francisco on the 29^th of April, 1852. Shortly afterward he settled in Sierra County, where he became largely interested in mining enterprise, besides which he eventually became an extensive and successful exponent of farming and sheep growing in Colusa County. He was one of the influential pioneers and progressive citizens of Sierra County for many years, and a leader in directing of popular sentiment and action in that part of the state, served several years as a member of the County Board of Supervisors, and from 1877 to 1879 represented Sierra County in the State Legislature. He was a stalwart in the camp of the democratic party, and his unqualified personal popularity was shown when he was elected to the Legislature from Sierra County, uniformally one of the strongest republican counties in the state. His death occurred June 29, 1886, and his venerable widow now resides in the home of their son, Lewis F., of this review. Mrs. Byington came from New York City to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1855, in company with her brother, Thomas Freehill, who later became one of the pioneer mining operators on the famous Comstock Lode in Nevada and one of the influential citizens of that state. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Byington was solemnized in the year 1857 at Forest City, Sierra County, and of their eight children six are living: Emma, now deceased, was the wife of Tirey L. Ford, former state senator and attorney-general of California, who is a law partner of her brother, Lewis F., of this sketch; the second child died young; William H. resides in San Francisco; Lewis F. was the fourth in order of birth; Charles T. resides at Healdsburg; Katherine is the wife of Charles E. Trainor, of San Francisco; Clara M. is the wife of Frederick C. Boeckmann, of this city; and Frank J. resides at Reno, Nevada, of which city he was formally mayor.

Lewis F. Byington acquired his early education in the public schools of his native town and later was graduated from Santa Clara College, now the University of Santa Clara, from which institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Science. In preparation for his chosen profession he came to San Francisco and entered Hastings College of Law and his reception of the degree of Bachelor of Laws from this institution was virtually coincident with his admission to the bar of his native state. His practice has been extended into the Supreme Court and the Federal courts of California, as well as to the Supreme Court of the United States, and he has long held secure vantage-ground as one of the able and representative members of the San Francisco bar. He served a term as a member of the Board of Supervisors of San Francisco County, to which office he was elected in 1898. Of his service in this position the following estimate has been given: “He at once took a leading position among those public officials who stood for civic integrity, and was an earnest advocate of civic betterment and municipal improvements. He was the first to advocate the grooved rail for the street railways of San Francisco, and introduced the first ordinance providing half-fare for school children using the street cars.” The splendid record made by Mr. Byington in this connection had no little fortifying influence on his election to the office of district attorney in 1899. He was the first to hold this office under the new city charter, and was twice thereafter reelected, his last election having given him an unprecedented and significant victory, in that he received a majority of the votes in each of the 310 precincts into which the city was then divided. In this connection he handled successfully many important cases, including a number of the most prominent criminal cases in the history of the state, with conviction in each instance. Among these cases were those of Cordelia Botkin and Martha Bowers, both of whom were convicted of murder through arsenic poisoning. Further record concerning his administration is here reproduced: “Mr. Byington prosecuted and convicted Leon Soeder and Sir Harry Westwood Cooper for forgery, the Nolan gang for robbery, and brought to justice the six desperate highwaymen who murdered Police Officer Robinson in the Mission. He displayed in his official work a courageous and aggressive spirit, working steadily in the interests of the people of his city and county, and enforcing the law with full comprehension of its ultimate uses and purposes. He personally conducted the prosecution of every important case, secured the greatest percentage of convictions in the history of the office, but was prompt, however, to dismiss a charge where he believed the evidence did not warrant a conviction. In his civil practice he is known as a well trained lawyer, a strong and resourceful advocate, high-minded and faithful in the discharge of professional duties.”

Mr. Byington has important mining interests in Sierra County, and is concerned also with large farming activities in the Sacramento Valley. He is vice president of the California Historic Landmarks League, and has been deeply interested in and a leading member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, in the history of which, as well as that the state in general, he is a recognized authority. He is a past grand president of this splendid California fraternity, is a past exalted ruler of San Francisco Lodge No. 3, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has eloquently espoused every state and national movement for inculcating patriotism and the defense of American institutions. He is identified with the University of California Club, the National Geographic Society and the San Francisco Art Association. As indicative of the confidence which the courts have in Mr. Byington the Hon. M. T. Dooling, United States district judge, in 1918, appointed him receiver for the exceedingly valuable oil properties in the Sunset and Midway districts of Kern County, the title of the claimants and location thereof having been attacked by the Federal Government. Some fifteen or twenty of the oil properties thus placed in receivership, and under the management and control of Mr. Byington, were among the most productive in California, the monthly return from the sale of oil amounting to several hundred thousands of dollars. Under the terms of the oil leasing bill, lately passed by Congress, the claimants of these properties surrendered title to the United States and took leases from the Government, paying in return therefor monthly royalties. At this time there was impounded in the hands of the receiver approximately $25,000,000 as profits derived from the sale of oil produced during his operation of the properties, and, under the terms of the leases, and by order of court, this amount was turned over to the lessees and to the Government in the form of royalties. This was undoubtedly the most important receivership in the history of Federal or State courts in California.

Source: "The San Francisco Bay Region," by Bailey Millard, Vol. 3, page 332-336, The American Historical Society, Inc., 1924.

John E. CALDWELL

John E. CALDWELL was a California pioneer, and devoted many years to his useful life to the mercantile business in San Francisco.

He was born in New Jersey, in March 1811, of Revolutionary stock and of English descent. His first American ancestors came to this country in the 1600s. He was reared and educated in New Jersey and Philadelphia, subsequently moved out to Illinois and arrived in California October 10, 1853, having made the journey across the plains with ox team. It was a six months trip from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mr. CALDWELL was not of the rough, adventuresome type that took naturally to the experiences of mining, and found his chief work in the mercantile lines. However, he served as a member of one of the early Vigilance Committee of San Francisco. He died August 31, 1887.

He married in 1845, Springfield, Illinois, and was the father of six children. Among those who grew to mature years were: Anna D., who married Thomas J. CURRY and is deceased; Frank, deceased; and Julia ALAMEDA, a native of Alameda County, California. Julie ALAMEDA became the wife of Frank Orrin HALE, who was born near Halfmoon Bay in California in 1862, and was a hoisting engineer by trade. He died March 10, 1922. Mrs. HALE is the mother of four children: Frances, at home; Mabel, wife of Leonard Osborn and the mother of three children, Frank, Dorris and Charles: Eugene C; and Jewel, deceased was the wife of James Green HOW and the mother of a daughter, Virginia. Mrs. HALE is a resident of San Francisco. Mr. HALE was a Mason and a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. Mrs. HALE is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Association of Pioneer Women of California.

Source: "The San Francisco Bay Region"Vol. 3 page 244-245 by Bailey Millard. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc. 1924.

THE CALIFORNIA FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

THE CALIFORNIA FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, one of the grand, old reliable enterprises of San Francisco, was organized in the following 1860. The articles of incorporation, however, were not filed until February 14, 1861. It began business in the California Mutual Marine Insurance Company, with Dr. Samuel Merritt as president and C. T. Hopkins as secretary, and in 1864 was reincorporated under its present title of California Insurance Company, and transacted both the fire and marine business. The first list of directors were Dr. Samuel Merritt, Michael Reese, Joseph Belding, A. J. Pope, William Maurice, D. C. McRuer, C. W. Hathaway, W. C. Talbot and Jonas G. Clark. Dr. Merritt was succeeded in the presidency, after 18 months' service, by D. C. McRuer, who resigned on his election to Congress in 1865. Albert Miller followed Mr. McRuer and serve one year, after which, his health failing, Mr. C. T. Hopkins was elected president, and served until 1885, when the present president, Louis L. Bromwell, at that time secretary of the company, was elected.

Starting with a cash capital of $200,000, the company increased it in 1875, to $300,000, and in 1881, to $600,000. In 1861 their total cash assets were $44,009, with premiums recorded during the year, $46,748.94. December 31, 1890, the total assets were $1,284,679 and total cash premiums that year 755,900.88. Since their incorporation they have paid in dividends $1,318,516. At this writing the directors of the company are the following well-known businessman of the Pacific coast: S. S. Bigelow, John Bermingham, Daniel Meyer, A. W. Scholle, W. G. Bryan, Henry Wadsworth, E. J. Le Belton, J. R. Spring and L. L. Bromwell.

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco" Volume I. Lewis Publishing Company 1892. Page 435-436.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.

KINGSLEY W. CANNON

The reputation of the corporation lawyers of the country is not made in a day, unusual ability in this broad field demanding not only natural abilities, but the most thorough preparation and strenuous, continuous and intense application and industry. Broad education and extensive knowledge of business, commercial and industrial principles and conditions, are requisite for success. While Kingsley W. CANNON is one of the more recent additions to the San Francisco bar, he has had the advantage of professional association with master minds in his calling, and he pursues his work steadfastly and successfully.

Kingsley W. CANNON was born at Marysville, California, a son of the eminent corporation attorney William M. CANNON, but he was brought to San Francisco in his youth, and here he attended the public schools. Deciding to follow in his father's footsteps, he took the full legal course at Hastings College, and was graduated therefrom with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In 1912 he and his father joined forces, but this pleasant association was dissolved when the elder man was made general counsel for the Middle States Oil Company, his acceptance of this important position necessitating his leaving San Francisco for the company's headquarters in the East. Since his father's withdrawal, Mr. CANNON has been associated in partnership with William M. ABBOTT, general counsel for the Market Street Railway.

Fraternally, Mr. CANNON maintains membership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is enthusiastic with regard to the order. He is also a member of the Commonwealth Club. He is a man whose studious habits lead him to constantly add to his store of knowledge and the prime secret of his success undoubtedly lies in the fact that he possesses a remarkable business judgment united with keen legal insight into the most involved transactions. He realizes to the full the chief requisite in such cases is to have the salient facts well in hand, and to state them clearly, forcibly and succinctly. His devotion to the cause of civic betterment is also a most interesting feature of his career, and adds to the value of his position in the general public regard. A number of important movements of general interest have been strengthened by his efficient support.

Transcribed by: Deana Schultz.

Source: "The San Francisco Bay Region"Vol. 3 page 83-84 by Bailey Millard. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc. 1924.