Alameda County
Biographies
FRED L. BUTTON.
The bar of California numbers among its most progressive, able and successful representatives Fred L. Button, of Oakland, who is not only in control of a large and lucrative private practice but has also rendered valuable public service along professional lines. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan, in March, 1856, and came to California with his parents in 1863. The family settled in Oakland and Mr. Button acquired his early education in the public schools of this city. He was afterward for a time employed in the office of the Daily Transcript, learning the printer's trade, and he also attended Brayton College. He later entered the State University, from which he was graduated with high honors in 1876, receiving the university gold medal for excellence in scholarship and also a prize for the most meritorious scientific essay. Having at that time served one year as assistant instructor in mathematics under appointment by the regents, he continued in that position during the succeeding year.
Mr. Button studied law in the office of Vrooman & Davis and in 1879 was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of California, after which he remained with Vrooman & Davis until 1881 and then established an office in Oakland, where his ability has brought him a large and representative clientage. Mr. Button stands in the front ranks of the legal fraternity in this part of the state and his professional opinions are considered authoritative. In 1888 he rendered the city valuable service as secretary of the Board of Freeholders, who drafted the charter of the city of Oakland, and he later three times codified the city ordinances for publication. He is also the author of the second edition of "Harlow on Sheriffs," a standard law textbook. Mr. Button has a comprehensive and exact knowledge of the law and is a strong and forceful practitioner, possessed of the insight, coolness and resourcefulness necessary to success in this field.
On November 5, 1899, he was appointed by the board of education as school director for the second ward, an office to which he was afterward elected and filled for one term with credit and ability. His attention is given largely to a general office and probate practice, and in a field where success is largely the result of individual merit and ability, has made rapid and steady advancement, standing today in the front ranks of progressive and successful attorneys. He gives his political allegiance to the progressive republican party.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 187
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
A. L. WAGNER.
A. L. Wagner is engaged in business in Oakland as the senior member of the real-estate firm of Wagner & Pugh, dealing in city and country property. His birth occurred in Detroit, Michigan, in June, 1868, and in the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools of Detroit and Saginaw, Michigan, until sixteen years of age. He then secured a position as salesman with a hardware house and subsequently went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he acted as salesman for the Dodson, Fisher & Brockman Hardware Company. Mr. Wagner next went to Boston, Massachusetts, and was there employed as salesman by the Campbell, Bosworth Machinery Company until January, 1906, when he came to San Francisco to take charge of their Pacific coast business. In March, 1911, he resigned that position to embark in the real-estate speculating business in Ventura county, California, there remaining until January, 1913, when he came to Oakland and here entered a similar field of endeavor. In the 1st of October, 1913, he formed a partnership with Mr. Pugh, under the firm style of Wagner & Pugh, and is now engaged in dealing in city and country property. Their undertakings, though so recently begun, have already been attended with results which augur well for the future.
In Ventura, California, on the 18th of March, 1911, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Elvira Solari. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 188
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
MARTIN KATICH.
Martin Katich, a resident of Oakland for more than a quarter of a century, has for the past eight years been successfully engaged in business as sole proprietor of the Avenue Cafe, a high-class restaurant located at the corner of Sixteenth street and San Pablo avenue. A native of Dalmatia, Austria, Martin Katich, however, came with an uncle to California when he was but thirteen years of age, in 1887. Thus his early schooling was obtained in Oakland, where he remained with relatives when his uncle, a retired sea captain, returned to Austria. After graduating from the grammar grades, Martin Katich entered the Oakland high school, then situated on Market street. It was destroyed by fire before he had completed his course and he did not return to school, preferring to work instead. In 1890 he entered into business on his own account with a partner in the conduct of a restaurant on Seventh street. That street was then a busy location and the business prospered. Mr. Katich was, however, possessed with an unusual amount of ambition which always induced him to strive for better things, so in 1906 he dissolved partnership and removed to San Pablo avenue, there to embark on a business alone. After the disaster of that year he removed to his present location and from a somewhat modest beginning has developed his enterprise to admirable proportions, so that now the Avenue Cafe is second to none in the city in excellence of appointments and cuisine.
Meantime Mr. Katich made a journey back to his old home in Dalmatia to visit his parents and there, in 1899, he married Miss Annie Urlovich. Two years thereafter the young couple spent in their native land, where a daughter, Annie, was born to them. Then Mr. Katich brought his wife and their little daughter to California, but Mrs. Katich died two years later. Martin, Jr., the only son of the couple, was then but three months of age. Later Mr. Katich and the sister of his late wife were united in marriage and by this union there is a daughter, Lucille, named for her mother.
Throughout his career Mr. Katich has been successful in his business enterprises and has gained an enviable reputation for fair dealing and uprightness among all with whom he has come in contact. Never afraid to venture, he has met with success, and, though his career has not been without its vicissitudes, he has now reached a position of undoubted security.
Prominent in commercial and civic affairs, he is a member of the Commercial Club, Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Exchange of Oakland. In fraternal circles he is also active and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Loyal Order of Moose, Royal Arch and the United Slavonian Society. Politically he is a progressive. He owns a handsome home at Twentieth and Webster streets and socially both Mr. and Mrs. Katich are popular and noted for their hospitality.
Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914
p. 189
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler