ALFRED TOBIN

Alfred Tobin, attorney, San Francisco, is a son of the late well-known lawyer, Mr. Richard Tobin, inheriting many traits of his father.  In this connection it is necessary to refer to these, so that an intelligent estimate can be arrived at.  The senior Mr. Tobin was a man of great industry, of great perseverance.  He was a quick thinker, and decided promptly.  He trained himself into the solving, if possible, of any problem or difficulty submitted to him while much of his great success was owing to this latter rather unusual trait.  He was thus, if not ready for action, at least well prepared before such emergency was anticipated, and in consequence his promptness was a surprise to those who did not know him.  In this sketch it is unnecessary for us to refer to his ability.  This was conceded even by his professional brethren.  He was systematic in every detail even of either his business or private life.  He was also very painstaking, and as a result of all united, when he prepared a case the whole ground was covered, and he was master, not alone of it, but of every circumstance bearing on it.

     All of these traits of the elder Mr. Tobin his son possesses.  He inherits them.  In other words, he is interested professionally from the very beginning, and from the first consultation his active advocacy begins.  He is prompt in action, in fact.  Then he thoroughly prepares the case at issue, so that no accident or unlooked for phase can find him at fault.  In argument he makes use of sound reasoning and logic, nor does he try to embellish his argument with flowery sentences. He never weakens it or robs it of its telling effect by playing on words.  He uses strong, forcible speech, and matter-of-fact expression, believing them to be the best and the highest for a lawyer in civil practice to aim at.  He differs from his father in many things.  He is more genial.  Those who only read from the surface esteemed Mr. Tobin a cold man, but he was not. He possessed much sympathy and feeling, but his life-work and the constant study he was subject to cast a disguise over the inner man.

     Mr. Tobin was born in North Beach, this city, twenty-eight years ago.  He was educated here principally, under the direction of the Jesuit Fathers at St. Ignatius College, Market street.  He was graduated in 1879, during the presidency of Father Nattini.  He studied law under the direction of his father and at the Hastings Law College, and was admitted in 1884.  He at once began the practice of his profession after being admitted, with his father, and continued so associated up to the latter's death, June of last year.

     His father was counsel for the Hibernia Bank, and this position Mr. Tobin fills, being also a director of the bank.  He is a member of the Art Association and of the Mercantile Library.

     There is no doubt the future has much reward in store for Mr. Tobin, and by this we mean the triumphs of his profession, for other reward he looks not for.

     He is just such a man as great lawyers are made of, in fact; able, in the first place, far-seeing as to results, painstaking, excellent in argument, using, in the first place, sound logic and reasoning, and the secondary assistant, flowery expression, only when the occasion seems to warrant it.  Mr. Tobin is essentially refined in his language and manner, and likes to surround himself with refining influences.  Home life has for him the greatest charm, in consequence of which he belongs to few societies.  He is an eminently sociable man, a good converser, and is thoroughly liked, therefore, and respected by all for his sterling qualities, and the native sons can feel a pride in that he is a San Franciscan in the full meaning of the term.

 

Transcribed 11-24-04  Marilyn R. Pankey.