W. M.  RANK

 

W. M.  RANK, traffic manager for the California Railway Company. ---

The general office of this company is located at No. 1003 1/2 Broadway, Oakland, as are also the offices of the California Improvement Company, of both of which corporations Mr. Rank officiates as secretary and treasurer.  

 

The California Railway is a short line of compromise gauge running between Fruitvale and Leona, its present terminus in Alameda county; also jointing over Southern Pacific property, and carrying freight and passengers to and from San Francisco, Oakland and Alameda, and is the only direct line of railroad to Laundry Farm and the famous Mills College.  The company's property at Laundry Farm consists of about 440 acres, upon which is located an extensive rock quarry, valuable for macadamizing.   For the opening up and developing of this property the company first built this road.  About a hundred acres have also been prepared and improved as pleasure and picnic grounds.  There are now four dancing platforms, many swings, etc.  An immense variety of choice trees, shrubs and other plants have also been planted.  Lately a fine bandstand has been erected, and concerts, music and dancing are the Sunday attractions through the season.  For natural beauty there is not a more picturesque spot in the vicinity of San Francisco bay.  The grounds are reached by rail and ferry in one hour and fifteen minutes from the city of San Francisco.

 

    Our present subject Mr. W. M. Rank, has been for many years connected with railroading in various capacities prior to his acceptance of his present position.  He has been connected with the Denver and Rio Grande and several other Western lines.  From 1877 to 1883 he was engaged at the terminus of the Utah Northern Railroad as master of transportation, advancing freight from that point to the interior of Montana and Idaho.

 

     Mr. Rank was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1852, the son of Philip Rank, who also was a native of that State. 

 

     Politically, Mr. Rank is a decided Republican, taking an active interest in local affairs.  He is recognized as a gentleman and a worthy citizen.