San Mateo County Biographies

Charles N. Kirkbride, the City Attorney for San Mateo, came to the town in 1889 and started the San Mateo Leader, taking in R.H. Jury as an associate. He subsequently became editor of the Times-Gazette and moved to Redwood City, but in 1891 resumed the study of law, begun at the College of the Pacific in San Jose, under Justice John E. Richards, now of the Appellate Court. Mr. Kirkbride entered Northwestern University College of Law at Chicago, Ill., and had lectures under such eminent men as Justices Harlan and Brewer of the United States Supreme Court; Henry Wade Rogers, dean of Harvard Law School and Seymore D. Thompson, author of Commentaries on Corporations. He graduated in 1893 and obtained his diploma at the hands of Theodore Roosevelt, who addressed the students on the political duties of the college man.

Mr. Kirkbride opened a law office in San Mateo December 4, 1894, and has been here ever since. He has held the office of City Attorney since 1895. He continued to practice alone until 1912 when Joseph B. Gordon, who had almost grown up in the office was admitted to partnership. The firm title has since been Kirkbride & Gordon.

Eighteen years ago he was one of the founders of the League of California Municipalities, pronounced the most efficient state organization of city officials in the Union. He organized the San Mateo Mutual Building and Loan Association in 1896. He took an active part in the organization of the San Mateo Public Library and, through a friend, secured an option on the old Knights of Pythias Library in San Francisco at the nominal figure of $500. The library contained 5000 volumes. Geo. W. Dickie advanced the necessary funds to close the purchase. Later when the question of getting a lot became a problem, Mr. Kirkbride and J.H. Hatch advanced the $625 necessary to make a deposit to hold the present site until public officials could act in the matter. In 1902 he took up the matter of forcing the establishment of a high school and canvassed the town at night on a bicycle to secure signatures to the necessary petition, others having failed in the attempt. Opposition developed from those interested in a private school but an election was called and the school established. At that time the number of pupils attending high schools could be counted on the fingers of one’s hands. The school then started, has developed into an institution having an enrollment of near 400 and assents of near three hundred thousand. Mr. Kirkbride prepared all the legal papers incident to the issuance of bonds for the high school district, for the purchase of land and erection of buildings without charge. He has always taken an active part in organizations devoted to local improvement and is a member of the present Chamber of Commerce. In San Francisco he has been a member of the Commonwealth Club for years and serves on important committees.

He has been active in Militia circles and is a 1^st Lieutenant on the Regimental Staff of Col. Geo. A. Schastey of the Coast Artillery Corps and holds high rank as to his qualifications as an artillery officer. He is also a trustee of the College of the Pacific in San Jose.

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 134-135. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.

PORTER E. LAMB

Far more extensive than his enviable record as a magistrate, which is known in every corner of San Mateo County in Porter Emerson Lamb’s fame as an athlete. Although it was back in 1903 that Porter Lamb was at Stanford, his remarkable feats on the cinder path are still vivid in the memories of all followers of sports.

For ten years Lamb’s record of 22 2-5 for the 220-yard dash at Stanford stood unassailed. In those days he was also holder of the world’s record for the fifty-yard dash. In the sprints and as a member of the relay teams Lamb tallied up many points for his Alma Mater.

After leaving college Mr. Lamb started in the real estate and insurance business in Burlingame. He spared enough time from business to serve the people as Justice of the Peace so satisfactorily that last year he was returned to the position by a flattering majority. Mr. Lamb has also taken an active part in the political and civic life of Burlingame. He was one of the organizers of the Burlingame Commercial Club; and has held the office of vice-president.

Born in Milford, N.H., on May 29, 1879, Porter Emerson Lamb received his early education in the Massachusetts schools. He moved to California twenty years ago and has been a resident of San Mateo County for nine years. He was married in San Francisco on June 15, 1904, moving shortly after to Burlingame where he bought up large realty holdings. Mr. Lamb is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, San Mateo lodge, No. 1112 B.P.O. Elks, the Masons and the Moose.

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 153. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.

CHARLES G. LANDSCHEIT

One of the best known realty dealers of the peninsula is Charles G. Landscheit, manager of the Redwood City Realty Company. Since coming to Redwood City twenty-one years ago Mr. Landscheit has been connected in one way or another with the realty business; and his long experience has made him the county’s leading real estate man.

As manager of the Redwood City Realty Company Mr. Landscheit has been connected with many of Redwood City’s large enterprises. Notable among them was the building of the Hotel Sequoia which gave Redwood City the finest hotel now in operation between San Francisco and San Jose.

Being a man of great civic pride and a tireless worker Mr. Landscheit has always furthered Redwood City’s interests. He is one of the most influential members and president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Charles George Landscheit was born on January 17, 1872, in Blandford, County of Dorset, England. At seventeen he joined the Grenadier Guards under Queen Victoria: at nineteen he was promoted to corporal and at 20 to sergeant. His regiment was stationed at the Tower of London and in the City of Dublin. Following his honorable discharge he came directly to California.

Few men of the county have been accorded more fraternal honors than Mr. Landscheit. He is Past Grand Bay View Lodge, No. 109, I.O.O.F.; Past Master, Redwood Lodge No. 168, F. & A.M., and Inspector of the 36^th Masonic district, and past Exalted Ruler of San Mateo Lodge, No. 1112 B.P.O. Elks.

Mr. Landscheit was married at Belmont on June 30, 1898.

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 145. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.

JOHN EDWARD LAYNG

One of the newcomers to Redwood City who has worked himself into the esteem of its citizens is John Edward Layng, one of the proprietors of the Redwood City Undertaking parlors.

Since taking residence in Redwood Mr. Layng has won a place of prominence in its business and social life. He is accorded a place among the town’s most enthusiastic boosters. Mr. Layng always finds time to point out places of interest to the stranger within the gates. Redwood’s even climate, accessibility, business opportunities and industrial advantages afforded by its water front that is yet only in the infancy of development, are subjects in which Mr. Layng is well versed and which are always at his tongue’s end.

Although one of Redwood’s infant institutions, the Redwood City Undertaking Parlors has become a flourishing business under Mr. Layng’s competent management. Before coming to Redwood City Mr. Layng had taken several professional courses and had a great deal of practical experience in undertaking in different cities.

John Edward Layng was born in San Francisco on January 15, 1884 and has spent his entire life in California. He is a member of the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce. In fraternal circles of Redwood City he holds a high place, claiming membership in the Masons, Eastern Star, the Redmen, The Foresters, the Odd Fellows and the Native Sons.

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 162-163. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.

REV. BRADFORD LEAVITT

Rev. Leavitt is a minister of the Gospel; he is indeed more than this, for he is the pioneer in a new vocation in which his qualifications as a minister fit him for the perfect administration of his self imposed combined duties of clergyman and funeral director.

When Rev. Leavitt entered this new field comparatively recently, opinion was divided as to the wisdom of his decision. Today the many hundreds whom he has served in this double and truly Christian role will testify that he was most certainly right in his decision; as he has proved that he could with his dual qualification lessen the burden of grief attendant upon the last rites of those who pass away.

Rev. Leavitt was born in 1868 in Boston, Mass. He came to California when a comparatively young man and has been a resident of Woodside for the last ten years. In 1893 he was married in Cambridge, Mass.

The Rev. Leavitt was pastor of the First Unitarian (Star King) Church in San Francisco from 1900 to 1914 where his sermons an the administration of the affairs of the church attracted widespread comment of the most favorable nature.

At the present day the Rev. Leavitt occupies the position of vice president of the N. Gray and Company of San Francisco and is the manager of the Burlingame and South San Francisco branches of this enterprise.

The Rev. Leavitt is a member of the following clubs and organizations: Commonwealth Club, Harvard Club, Chit-chat Club, Unitarian Club and University Club. He belongs also to California Lodge No. 1, F. & A.M. His home is at the Shine Ranch, Woodside.

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 166. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.