Alameda County
Biographies
HENRY P. DALTON
HENRY P. DALTON, a resident of Oakland, who is now
serving in his tenth year as county assessor of Alameda county,
belongs to that type of native-born citizens who have become recognized as
potential factors in the elevation of the social and industrial status of the
state. He was born in the mining section of Tuolumne county,
twelve miles from Sonora, the county seat, April 27, 1860, and is a
son of Henry N. and Julia A. (Cammeyer)
Dalton. Henry N. Dalton, who for many years was intimately identified
with the industrial life of Oakland, was born in New York City, where he was
reared and educated. In young manhood he went to New Bedford, Mass., where he
learned the trade of shipbuilder. The news of the discovery of gold in
California fired him with an ambition to hazard his fortunes in this state, and
in 1849 he started on the journey westward, by way of Cape Horn. The journey
consumed seven months. Arriving in San Francisco in the spring of 1850, he went
immediately to the mining district of Tuolumne county, where, for a period of
ten years, he was engaged successfully in mining. Upon the expiration of that
time he removed to Pacheco, Contra Costa county, where
he remained until 1876, where he was engaged in business as a foundryman and manufacturer. Removing to Oakland in the
latter year, he established an iron foundry, and subsequently erected the block
on Cedar street, between Ninth and Tenth streets. He
finally admitted his sons into the business as partners, incorporating the
concern under the name of Henry Dalton & Sons Company. Mr. Dalton is
still actively engaged in business and carries his seventy-five years lightly.
Mrs. Dalton, who was born in New York City, was a daughter of Cornelius Cammeyer. She came to California in 1857, by way of the
Isthmus of Panama. Mr. and Mrs. Dalton became the parents of four
children, namely: Cornelia, wife of C. E. Colburn, of Oakland;
Henry P., of this review; Frank N., of Oakland; and Ada M., unmarried, makes her home with her parents.
The second child and eldest son in the family, Henry P.
Dalton was reared in Pacheco and Oakland, attending the public schools of both
places. Upon the completion of the common-school course he entered the
University of California, remaining until the close of the junior year, when he
engaged in business with his father. Upon the organization of the company his
father was elected president, he became vice-president
and his brother, Frank N., secretary. The latter is now acting as
superintendent of the company’s business. In addition to his interest in the
foundry business, Mr. Dalton has for some time been identified with the
mining interests of Shasta county, Cal., and Josephine
county, Ore.
In politics a Republican, Mr. Dalton has taken an
active interest in city and county affairs for several years, and has been
honored by election to public offices of trust and responsibility. In 1893 he
was elected to represent the old first ward of Oakland in the city council for
a term of two years. In 1894 he became an independent candidate for the office
of county assessor of Alameda county, and, though
there were three other candidates in the field, he was elected by a plurality
of twenty-five hundred votes. January 1, 1895, he resigned his seat
in the city council, and on the same day took the oath of office as assessor
for a term of four years. In 1898 he received the Republican nomination for the
same office, was endorsed by the Democratic convention, and was elected over
the independent candidate by a majority of over ten thousand votes – the
largest majority ever accorded any candidate for office in Alameda county. In
1902 he was once more an independent candidate for the office of assessor and
was successful for the third time, defeating two opponents by a plurality of
twenty-six hundred and fifty votes. His term of service will extend to
January 1, 1907. The last campaign is said to have been one of the
most exciting which ever occurred in the state, and during a three weeks’
canvass Mr. Dalton visited every section of the county. Since 1895 he has
given his attention almost exclusively to the duties of his office. He has
performed the labor devolving upon him with admirable efficiency, and has
continued to grow in the esteem and confidence of his constituents, regardless
of their political convictions.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Dalton is one of the
most prominent men in Alameda county. He was made a
Mason in Live Oak Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M., of Oakland,
in 1881, and served as master of the lodge in 1887; he is also a member of
Alameda Chapter No. 36, R. A. M., Oakland Commandery
No. 11, K. T., Oakland Consistory No. 2, and Islam Temple,
A. A. O. N. M. S., of San Francisco, and a royal and
select master. He is also a member of Harbor Lodge No. 253,
I. O. O. F.; Oakland Lodge No. 103, K. P.; Oakland Camp
No. 94, W. O. W.; Oakland Aerie No. 7, of the Eagles; is a
charter member of Oakland Parlor No. 50, N. S. G. W., and
is a member of the Athenian club, the Nile club and the Reliance club.
The overwhelming majorities by which the citizens of
Alameda county have elected Mr. Dalton to a
public office of great trust is one of the most satisfactory guarantees of the
high esteem in which he is held by all classes of men. During his incumbency of
the office he has exhibited the strictest integrity and a keen public spirit.
In all matters pertaining to the welfare of the public and the advancement of
the best interests of the community, he has taken a liberal and progressive
view. He has become recognized as one of the most valued of the native-born
citizen of the state.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 03 July 2016.
Source: History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 1240-1241. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Marie Hassard.
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