Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Archives

Biography of Frank Mattison of Santa Cruz

Frank Mattison, born near Santa Cruz, California, on February 5, 1860, served as a member of the state board of equalization from the fourth district of California. He was the son of John S. Mattison, an English-born original California forty-niner, and Lila Miles, of Pennsylvania. Frank’s career began in agriculture and expanded to the grocery business before entering public service. Elected county assessor in 1890, he served three terms. In 1902, he was elected to the state board of equalization. Active in the Republican party, Mattison also held roles in various fraternal organizations. He married Carrie A. Peck in 1883, and they had two daughters, Lila E. and Ruth.

Biography of William H. Leeman of Sacramento

William H. Leeman, born June 24, 1857, in Dubuque, Iowa, was a prominent Sacramento businessman known for his work in the hop industry. After becoming an orphan at a young age, he moved to Sacramento and began working on a hop ranch at seventeen. By twenty-two, he started his own hop-raising business, eventually expanding to two hundred acres of hops and four hundred acres of alfalfa and vegetables in Yolo County. Leeman co-founded the firm W. H. Leeman and Company, engaging in buying and selling hops. A dedicated public servant, he served as trustee of reclamation district No. 537 for thirteen years, contributing significantly to local agricultural development. A Republican and active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, he married Kate Farley in 1884, and they had three children: W. W., Gertrude, and Muretta.

Biography of William Henry Langdon

Professor William Henry Langdon, born September 25, 1873, in Alameda County, California, served as the superintendent of San Francisco’s public schools. He introduced numerous progressive educational methods during his tenure, enhancing the practical value of schooling. Educated in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, he graduated from Haywards’ high school and San Jose Normal School. Langdon’s career included teaching positions in San Leandro and Fresno, and in 1902, he was elected superintendent of San Francisco’s schools. He abolished written examinations, reduced class sizes, and emphasized merit-based appointments. Active in various fraternal organizations, Langdon was also a respected lawyer and educator.

Biography of Frederick William Kiesel of Sacramento

Frederick William Kiesel, born February 11, 1874, in Corinne, Utah, is the general manager of the California Winery and cashier of the California State Bank of Sacramento. Son of Frederick J. and Julia Kiesel, who emigrated from Germany, Frederick was educated in Germany, at Greylock Institute in Massachusetts, and at Harvard College, graduating in 1896. He moved to Sacramento, founding the California Winery and later joining the California State Bank, where he became cashier. In 1901, he married Jane Birdsall of Sacramento. Kiesel is a member of the Masons and Elks, and an active Republican.

Biography of James Louis Gillis of Sacramento

James Louis Gillis, born October 3, 1857, in Richmond, Washington County, Iowa, was a prominent political figure and state librarian of California. His parents, Charles and Emily Eliza (Gelatt) Gillis, moved to California in 1861, where Charles engaged in hotel management and mining. James L. Gillis attended various schools in Sacramento and began his career with the Sacramento Valley Railroad Company, advancing to assistant superintendent by 1894. In 1881, he married Kate Petree, and they had three daughters. Gillis served in various legislative roles before becoming state librarian in 1899. Active in Republican politics and numerous fraternal organizations, he was known for his deep knowledge of California’s pioneer history.

Biography of John Wynkoop Gilkyson, Jr. of San Francisco

John Wynkoop Gilkyson, born February 5, 1875, in Chico, Butte County, California, was the son of John W. and Ruth (Hobart) Gilkyson. His maternal lineage traces back to Edmund Hobart, who arrived in America in 1633. John W. Gilkyson, a Pennsylvania native, moved to California in 1850, engaging in mining and later holding various public offices. John Wynkoop Gilkyson pursued education in Butte County and San Francisco, starting his career with the Pacific Bell Telephone Company at age twelve. By 1901, he became the county manager for the Pacific States Telephone Company in San Jose. Married to Hattie W. Tennis, he was active in the Native Sons of the Golden West, Knights of Pythias, and the Elks.

Biography of Albert Elkus of Sacramento

Albert Elkus, born August 17, 1857, in Sacramento, California, was a prominent clothing merchant and influential Republican in the county. His father, Louis Elkus, an immigrant from Germany, was a successful businessman and community leader. Albert joined his father in business in 1873 and later established his own successful retail clothing stores in Sacramento and Folsom. He held significant political roles, including city trustee and president of the Central Republican Club. In 1882, he married Bertha Kahn, a talented pianist. Albert Elkus was highly regarded for his business acumen, political influence, and community involvement.

Biography of George Woodward Dufficy, M. D. of Sacramento

Dr. George Woodward Dufficy, born in Marysville, California, in 1871, is a prominent physician in Sacramento. He descends from pioneer families, with his mother, Edwina (O’Brien) Dufficy, arriving in California in 1849, and his father, Michael C. Dufficy, an Irish immigrant and lawyer turned merchant. George graduated from St. Ignatius College and the University of California’s medical department in 1898. He initially served as resident physician at Sisters Hospital in Sacramento before establishing a successful private practice. In 1901, he married Evelyn Rackliffe, daughter of former state treasurer Levi Rackliffe. Dr. Dufficy is active in local medical societies and the Democratic Party.

Biography of Peter N. Bondesen of Salinas California

History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California Volume 2 Title Page

Among the ranchmen and fruit growers in the region about Salinas, few have been more successful in recent years than Peter N. Bondesen. He was born in Denmark, June 8, 1866, and is a son of Nels and Celia (Smith) Bondesen. His father was a weaver by trade and in his boyhood Peter attended the local schools, where he picked up the rudiments of a practical education. When he was fifteen years of age he came to America alone and went directly to the home of his brother, Hans Bondesen, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. For some time he worked as a … Read more

Biography of Hugh J. Leonard of Santa Cruz California

A progressive man of valuable, practical experience and inspiring optimism is Hugh J. Leonard, the affable and popular secretary and manager of the People’s Finance & Thrift Company of Santa Cruz. A native of Ireland, he was born October 21, 1885, and as early as 1898, made his first trip to America. Remaining only a year, however, he went back to Erin, to work there as a farmer. He also crossed over to Scotland, and for a while worked for wages in Glasgow. Coming to the United States for the second time in 1906, he was for eighteen months in … Read more