Alameda County
Biographies
PERRY F. BROWN.
A man well known in Oakland for his public spirit, his broad views and his excellent business and professional ability is Perry F. Brown, now acting in a capable and efficient manner as city engineer and superintendent of streets. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of that city, later entering the State University, from which he was graduated as a civil engineer in 1897. Immediately afterward he engaged in professional practice at Janesville and he served as city engineer of that city, gaining thus his first experience in his profession as applied to municipal questions. Mr. Brown came to Oakland in 1900, and here he spent one year with the Standard Electric Company, in charge of the construction of the Bear River dam, completed in 1901. In the following year he entered the employ of the city of Oakland in the city engineering department and when the new charter went into effect in July, 1911, was appointed superintendent of streets and city engineer, positions which he has since capably filled. Mr. Brown takes a just pride in the fact that he has been identified with the inauguration of many movements making for public sanitation and beautification and that he has done much to advance the cause of good roads throughout the county. It has been his constant aim to see that all affairs coming before his departments are conducted along business lines and upon a fair and honorable basis, and in this way he has done a great deal to promote efficiency in the offices over which he has control.
Mr. Brown married Miss Beulah Hodgdon, a native of Wisconsin, and they are the parents of a daughter, Marian. Mr. Brown has since 1908 been a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is widely known in engineering circles, on account of his professional ability and the excellent constructive work he has done along this line in the public service.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 148
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
GILBERT P. HALY.
Gilbert P. Haly embarked in the real-estate and insurance business at Oakland on attaining his majority and during the eight years which have since elapsed has won gratifying success in that field of endeavor. His birth occurred in London, England, in April, 1884, his parents being G. S. and E. M. Haly. In 1896 the family home was established in Oakland, California, the father embarking in business as a tea broker of San Francisco, where he is still active.
In the acquirement of an education Gilbert P. Haly attended the graded and high schools until 1905 and when twenty-one years of age became identified with the real-estate and insurance business, in which he has won success. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with realty values here and is qualified to give expert advice to clients.
In August, 1907, at Oakland, Mr. Haly was united in marriage to Miss S. M. Fritsch, by whom he has two children, Ann and Phillip. He is a young man of excellent business ability and is popular in social circles by reason of his attractive personality.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 149
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
CORNELIUS J. TWOMEY.
Cornelius J. Twomey, merchant tailor of Oakland, has been for more than twenty-five years a resident of that city and enjoys an extensive and gratifying patronage. His birth occurred in County Cork, Ireland, on the 21st of March, 1869, his parents being James and Nora Twomey. He attended the public schools until fourteen years of age and then made his way to San Francisco, California, where he entered the dry goods establishment of J. J. O'Brien, being employed as clerk for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Oakland and here continued as buyer for James A. Joyce, a dry goods merchant, until 1901. At that time, having gained both the necessary capital and experience, he embarked in the men's tailoring business on his own account and has won an enviable reputation for high-class merchant tailoring.
At Oakland, in 1896, Mr. Twomey was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Gallagher, by whom he has three children: Margaret, Earl James and Henrietta Marie. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Columbus and other prominent orders. The period of his residence in Oakland covers almost three decades and he is widely recognized as one of the city's substantial, esteemed and representative residents.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 149
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler