P. Frank Bradhoff, of Oakland, acts as secretary of the General Contractors Association, which was organized in October, 1913. He was born in Oakland on the 28th of March, 1873, a son of J. H. and Katharine Bradhoff. The father, who was first officer on a sailing vessel, first came to California prior to 1850 and in 1861 permanently established his home in Oakland, but devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits in Contra Costa county until the time of his retirement in 1906. His demise occurred in 1910, after a residence of about a half century in this part of the state, and in his passing the community lost one of its respected, esteemed and substantial citizens.
P. Frank Bradhoff attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education until a youth of fourteen and then worked on his father's ranch until seventeen years of age. He was subsequently employed in the operating department of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Oakland until 1898 and afterward entered the service of the California Powder Company, remaining with that concern for three and a half years and acting in various capacities. Embarking in the real-estate and building business, he was thus engaged in Oakland and Berkeley until January, 1912, when he associated himself with the Contractors & Builders Exchange and in that year became secretary of the Oakland Builders Exchange, in which position he remained until April, 1914. He then took charge, as secretary, of the General Contractors Association, which was organized in October, 1913. Its object is to foster the building industry in Alameda county and vicinity and to secure equitable dealing between owners, architects and contractors in the several branches of construction work, thus serving the ends of equity, justice and fair dealing. It is in no way affiliated with or opposed to union labor, but instead endeavors to promote the harmonious cooperation of all. The association is necessarily in its infancy but has already registered a large membership of representative men in their respective lines, has won the favor of material men, specialty contractors and architects as well as that of the general contractors, and is accorded the respect and hearty cooperation of the local banking interests. In the capacity of secretary Mr. Bradhoff has promoted the interests of the organization in no small degree, and his resultant labors have established his reputation as a valued official of the association. He likewise organized the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce and is a prominent factor in business circles here.
Mr. Bradhoff is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He also belongs to the Mystic Shrine and is a past patron of the Eastern Star, is an Elk and a past royal patron of Amaranth. His entire life has been spent in Alameda county and in all its relations he has been actuated by honorable, manly principles that have won him the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been associated.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Pages 420-421
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 7/5/2008
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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