Alameda County
Biographies
PHILIP E. BOWLES.
Mr. Bowles, residing in Claremont, was born at Arcata, Humboldt county, California, in October, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Harding) Bowles, who came to this state from New Orleans and were among the early settlers of Humboldt county. In 1867 the family moved to Santa Clara.
At the age of nineteen Philip E. Bowles entered the University of California, from which he graduated with the scientific degree in 1882. He soon became associated in business with the late George W. McNear in the grain and shipping business, and his experiences in that enterprise covered a period of ten years. In 1893 he became interested in the First National Bank of Oakland and not long after was elected its president. In 1903 he organized the American National Bank of San Francisco, of which he is still president. Mr. Bowles is also president of the First Trust and Savings Bank of Oakland and the First National Bank of Vallejo.
In 1884 Mr. Bowles was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. McNear, a daughter of George W. McNear, his former partner in business. They are the parents of four children. For more than twenty years Mr. Bowles' business activity has been confined to the field of banking, which has precluded his indulgence in other enterprises. He is shrewd, diplomatic and known through the Bay Cities as one of the foremost men of his profession.
Mr. Bowles is a man of strong physique, particularly fond of outdoor sports of all kinds, being especially interested in the manly sports of the Claremont Club, to which he belongs. He is also a member of the Pacific Union and University Clubs of San Francisco and for some time has been a member of the board of regents of the University of California. He is a courteous, genial gentleman and a man of sound business judgment, public-spirited and progressive, taking an active interest in works of charity and public beneficence. His business acumen leads him to a thorough investigation of every proposition to which he lends his support. His work is in San Francisco as well as in Oakland and the demands of both cities receive his attention.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 448
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JOHN RICHARD NYSTROM.
The late John Richard Nystrom was for many years numbered among the prominent and valued citizens of Richmond, where he was regarded as a pioneer settler, his residence there dating from the year 1871. From that time on he was active in the real-estate business as the developer of several subdivisions and tracts and took a leading part in public affairs, lending the weight of his influence to all projects for the advancement and growth of the community.
He was a native of Finland, his birth having occurred August 24, 1848. His parents, John and Johanna (Kallis) Nystrom, died in their native country. In their family were eight children, of whom the subject of this review was the eldest.
John Richard Nystrom acquired his very early education under the instruction of his mother and later entirely by his own efforts in private study, and when he was twenty-three years of age emigrated to America, making a permanent location in California. Previous to this, however, he traveled over a large part of the world, visiting the land of the Midnight Sun and then journeying far enough south to see the Southern Cross. Having heard a great deal of the wonderful resources and matchless climate of California, he finally decided to locate in this state and after his arrival was first employed in boating on the bay. He had been a sailor before the mast and in his new work took charge of the vessel of his late captain, for whom he carried on a general freighting business for a period of nine years. In the meantime he had purchased seventy acres of land in Richmond and after retiring from boating he operated this until 1903, when he subdivided the property and sold it for building lots, retaining a part for his own home. All of the land is within the corporate limits of Richmond and is now fully developed and on it many houses are built. In addition to this Mr. Nystrom had an interest in seven other subdivisions in Richmond and did some important work in the line of land development. He was a member of the Richmond Industrial Commission and a director in the Mechanics Rank of Richmond.
In 1881 Mr. Nystrom married Miss Mary Griffins, a daughter of Owen and Kate (Evans) Griffins, both of whom have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Nystrom became the parents of eleven children—Alfred John, Edwin, Mary E., Mabel, Alice, William, Louise, Hazel, Edna, Raymond and Richard. The last named has passed away.
Mr. Nystrom was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having become a Royal Arch Mason at Berkeley and a Knight Templar at Oakland. He was a trustee in the Presbyterian church of Richmond and gave his political allegiance to the republican party, having served for fifteen years as school director and for a long period as a member of the city council. He was an intelligent, active and progressive citizen and in all official or personal relations held the esteem and confidence of those who were associated with him. On December 24, 1913, Mr. Nystrom passed away, after many years of usefulness in a community where he will long be remembered as an able, honest and kindly gentleman.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 449
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler