Alameda County
Biographies
WILLIAM J. BOWEN
Was born at Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts, March 14, 1817, and at seventeen years of age entered upon a seafaring life, at which he continued thirteen years, his last voyage being made in the ship Edward, in the year 1839, to a Peruvian port. At the end of this cruise he took up his residence in the Society Islands, where he was engaged for about five years in command of vessels plying in the South Seas. He then made an attempt to come to California, in a vessel built there by himself, but owing to a disagreement with his partner the trip was abandoned, and the craft sold. He then shipped in the schooner Currency Lass, and after going to the Sandwich Islands, came on to San Francisco, and made an attempt to establish a lumber trade with Bodega, Sonoma County, but was not allowed to land the cargo in San Francisco, his vessel being under a French protective flag; he, therefore, returned to the Sandwich Islands, loaded for San Francisco once more, but on arrival found that the market was glutted, so he returned with his freight to the Islands. Mr. Bowen thence sailed to the friendly shores of the Society Islands. Now came the discovery of gold in California, therefore he brought the Sackety Hawk, with passengers. He now engaged in the lumber trade with Bodega, and having had his craft driven on shore, eventually got her off after seventeen days passed in discharging her cargo, aided by Capt. Juan Smith and his Indians. The vessel was sold to a man named Phelps, who never paid for her, but some legal difficulty intervening, Mr. Bowen turned her over to the Justice of the Peace, and in May, 1849, betook himself to the mines, where for five months he was very fortunate. He now returned to the Bay City, purchased an interest in brig Sabine, and in her made a voyage to Australia, and on his return suffered shipwreck on a reef at the Navigators’ Islands. Here he was placed in command of a vessel that had been stolen in the harbor of Sydney, whither he returned with her. At this place Mr. Bowen married, returned to San Francisco, and took up his residence at Saucelito, Marin County. At the end of three years he removed to San Francisco, but six months thereafter crossed to Ocean View (now West Berkeley), and in 1853 built the first hotel in that place, in which business he remained twenty-three years. He is now engaged in the wood and coal business at the corner of Delaware Street and San Pablo Avenue.
History of Alameda County, California…, Oakland, M.W. Wood Publ., 1883
p. 853-854
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
B. F. BRANNAN
Was born in Jackson County, Indiana, August 8, 1833. In 1851 he went west to Tama County, Iowa, and was a resident of that State sixteen years. In 1867 he emigrated via Panama, to the Pacific Coast, came to Alameda County, and located on the place now owned by George Beck, about five miles north of Livermore. In 1878 he purchased his present homestead, adjoining that town, consisting of forty acres. Is married, and has two children, Florence and Maud.
History of Alameda County, California…, Oakland, M.W. Wood Publ., 1883
p. 854
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JAMES A. BREWER
Was born in Oneida County, New York, November 29, 1834, where he received his schooling, and resided until the spring of 1852, being up to that time engaged in farming. In the season just mentioned he turned towards the west, and, proceeding to Wisconsin, was there employed in the construction of the railroad between Janesville and Monroe. At the end of eighteen months Mr. Brewer removed to Kansas, and there maintained a domicile until starting for California. In March, 1856, he essayed the arduous journey across the plains with horse-teams, and, coming direct to Alameda County, located at Washington Corners in July, 1856. Here he engaged in farming, an occupation he has since followed at that place. During his residence in Kansas Mr. Brewer held the office of County Surveyor of Atchison County, which position he held until leaving for the Pacific Coast. Married, 11th of October, 1866, Mrs. Maria Ann (widow of J. R. McDavid, who was a well-known farmer of Washington Township, died June 21, 1861, and left four children, Volunia A., Julia L., Troy C., and John R.), and has two children, viz.: James M. and Henry C.
History of Alameda County, California…, Oakland, M.W. Wood Publ., 1883
p. 854
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
EDWARD BROWN
Was born November 11, 1839, in Bridgenorth, England; was educated and lived in Wymondham, Leicestershire, until appointed to a position in a railway office in London, where he remained until March 29, 1863, at which date he sailed for New York. Very shortly afterwards he went into the service of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and in April, 1865, was appointed agent of that company for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In 1868 he organized the Lancaster Fire Insurance Company; capital, $200,000; and acted as its Secretary until November, 1871; when La Caisse Generale – a Paris Fire Office – established an American Branch, Mr. Brown was appointed Superintendent of Agencies. In January, 1875, he was sent to San Francisco to establish a business upon the Pacific Coast for the said company. On May 1, 1878, the firm of Brown, Craig & Co. – Mr. Homer A. Craig of Oakland being the other partner – was formed, their office being at No. 215 Sansome Street, where it has ever since remained. Mr. Brown resides in Alameda, is married, and has five children.
History of Alameda County, California…, Oakland, M.W. Wood Publ., 1883
p. 854
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler