San Mateo County Biographies

To help our fellow travelers as we meet them along the highway of life is commendable, but there is one way of doing good that far surpasses this—and that is to “help people help themselves.”

Mrs. Mary J. Linsay makes this a business, helping people help themselves—and we are informed that it is a paying business. In short Mrs. Linsay operates a busy and successful employment agency in San Mateo at 333 Minnie Street within only a few doors of her home.

Coming out to California with her father twenty-five years ago to settle in San Mateo she can justly lay claim to the distinction of being one of the pioneer residents of this city. John Cook, her father achieved a successful career as a landscape gardener, having laid out the D. O. Mills home at Millbrae, and some other fine residences at Piedmont, California.

In August 6, 1901 her marriage to Thomas Linsay took place in San Mateo. From the very start the couple prospered so that in a few years they were able to purchase considerable San Mateo real estate. Unfortunately, Mr. Linsay did not live to enjoy the fruits of his labor but passed on but a few years ago leaving his estate to his widow. This includes the home at 324 Minnie St. together with considerable other real property.

Mrs. Linsay takes an active interest in public matters as well as social and fraternal affairs. Whenever elections are called on important civil matters, she always answers the call of the poles. A charter member of the Easter Star, Laurel Chapter 186; and also of the Rebekahs, having once been their District Deputy, Mrs. Linsay feels that she has done—and is now doing her full duty in these channels of fraternal endeavor. In both these lodges she occupied every chair and rose as high as was possible.

Mrs. Linsay did not enter the Employment business; on the contrary, it came to her—gradually at first, when her friends sent her business. “Go to Mrs. Linsay, she will find you a position” they would say to anyone who was looking for work or help. The business proved to be pleasant work, and so, although she was amply well provided for, she decided to continue in this work, simply because she liked it and realized that in this field there are unlimited opportunities for well-doing. Many the girl she has not only found a position for but taken into her home and cared for her as a guest until a position could be found for her.

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 126. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.

JOSEPH AMBROSE McCORMICK

Joseph A. McCormick, Justice of the Peace in the second township and insurance broker, has claimed San Mateo as his home for the past sixteen years. During that time he has grown up from one of the popular young fellows ‘bout town to one of its substantial business men.

As a young man when Mr. McCormick first came to San Mateo he was a great favorite. He was a brilliant athlete and a great future awaited him as a baseball pitcher had he chosen a career on the diamond. However the sterner life appealed to Mr. McCormick and he chose to launch the business career for which he prepared himself.

Mr. McCormick has been a factor in the business life of San Mateo. He has been proprietor of a stationery store, and was associated with Charles Brown in the Smoke Shop.

In public life Mr. McCormick was born at Vallejo on December 23, 1874 and has spent his whole life in the “Golden State.” He belongs to the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles, the Moose and the Hibernians.

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 164. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.

It is safe to say that it would be hard to find any city or county official in San Mateo County whose duties keep him busier than do those of Dr. William C. McLean, Health Officer and Dairy Veterinarian for the city of San Mateo.

Dr. McLean was born in Palo Alto and came to San Mateo when a boy. Since then, up to the present time he has resided in the county almost continuously. He began his education in his chosen profession, in the Veterinarian Department of the University of California which was located at Post and Fillmore Streets, San Francisco. When the University discontinued this department, he completed his course at the San Francisco Veterinary College.

His first important public appointment was Veterinary Inspector for the federal government during 1906-07 when his office was located in San Francisco. Dr. McLean’s next appointment was for the office which he now holds, undertaking this work two years ago. Accomplishment has always been the keynote to Dr. McLean’s public stewardship. Instead of being content to follow his work in the beaten path, Dr. McLean has systematized his work along original lines so that he has been able to accomplish daily an almost amazing amount of work.

The passage of ordinance No. 175 on December 8, 1913, was accomplished by Dr. McLean’s efforts; and is a piece of legislation that reflects great credit upon the city government of San Mateo. It provides for the inspection of meat and meat products, and prevents the sale of that which is not up to high standard, providing for its condemnation and destruction.

Dr. McLean is a member of the San Mateo Odd Fellows, No. 265. He maintains headquarters at the Wisnom Hotel.

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 124-125. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.

AMBROSE McSWEENEY

San Mateo County’s officialdom has not a more popular and efficient member than Ambrose McSweeney of South San Francisco who for the past five years has been Tax Collector. Mr. McSweeney is serving his second term of office, being returned to that position at the last county election by a majority that stamped his popularity.

The standard of efficiency in the Tax Collector’s office was never higher than during Mr. McSweeney’s regime. He has supplemented his own competency and ability by a staff of high-class deputies. They have put this important function of the county’s government into such a splendid state that it has won high commendation from the Grand Jury accountants, the Supervisors and the citizens at large.

Mr. McSweeney’s practice of going to the different cities and collecting taxes on certain appointed days is a great convenience to tax payers. Many persons living in the remote parts of the county are saved long and costly trips to the county seat; and it is a boon to the many small taxpayers who cannot leave their work to settle their tax bills.

Before he was elected Tax Collector, Mr. McSweeney was Justice of the Peace in the first township.

Ambrose McSweeney was born in San Francisco on December 20, 1870. He was married at San Jose in July, 1897. Mr. McSweeney is identified with more than a half-dozen of the leading fraternal orders in the county.

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 148. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.

Robert W. Mantz is now entering on his fifth year as the first supervising principal of the Redwood City public schools. Beginning with about 300 pupils under his supervision the schools have now nearly 600 enrolled.

On the initiative of Mr. Mantz the first public school playground in San Mateo was equipped at Redwood City and a play ground carnival held to celebrate the event. Also on his recommendation sewing, cooking and manual training in all the grades were introduced, this being the first elementary school in the county to adopt these courses. The Redwood City Grammar School now has one of the best manual training laboratories in the state, housed in a separate building, and is successfully accomplishing junior high school work.

The school has an annual exhibit in the school auditorium of hand work from all grades including furniture from the 7^th and 8^th grades. This exhibit is exceedingly popular, draws large crowds and antedates in its inception, the Junior Exposition of San Francisco by two years.

Three years ago Mr. Mantz arranged for an art exhibit which resulted in the purchase of $400.00 worth of pictures and statuary for the classrooms and corridors. The school holds the state record for returns from such an exhibit. Two new school houses are now being built to accommodate the overflow in the lower grades from the Highlands and Five Points sections.

The 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades are now practically accomplishing intermediate high school work.

The perfect harmony existing at all times in the board of trustees and the cordial cooperation of the trustees and teachers with the principal in his efforts for school betterment are responsible for the progress of the school. Before being invited by the County Superintendent and the trustees to take charge of the Redwood City schools Mr. Mantz was head of the mathematics department of the Belmont school for boys—W.T. Reid Foundation. Prior to this he was for several years professor of mathematics and dean of the faculty of California College and Academy, of Oakland, an accredited high school and junior college whose graduates were accorded junior standing at the State University.

Though born in Illinois, Mr. Mantz is an ardent Californian, having moved with his parents and sisters to this state when a boy and receiving his education at a State Normal school and State University, besides taking various Stanford and Berkeley summer courses.

He has contributed articles to several newspapers and magazines. Mr. Mantz is a trustee of the First Congregational Church, he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Fraternal Aid and of several clubs. He has two sons in the 8^th grade and a daughter at Stanford University. His wife Mrs. Annie F. Mantz was before her marriage a successful teacher. She is now president of the Redwood City Parent-Teachers’ Association, President of the San Mateo County Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations and a member of the executive council of the State Mothers’ Club.

Source: History of San Mateo County by Philip W. Alexander & Charles P. Hamm page 133-134. Press of Burlingame Publishing Co., Burlingame, CA. 1916.