More than a quarter of a century ago Lester G. Burpee entered the First National Bank of Oakland in the capacity of bookkeeper and has remained with the institution to the present time, winning successive promotions until elected vice president in 1906, which position he now holds. His birth occurred in Jacksonville, Oregon, on the 4th of September, 1860, his parents being Joseph S. and Irene J. Burpee. In 1873 the father came to Oakland, California, and embarked in business as a building contractor, being thus- successfully engaged until the time of his retirement in 1906. In former years he was an active member of the Municipal League.
Lester G. Burpee attended the graded and high schools of Oakland until 1879 and then became private secretary to E. C. Sessions, who was at that time president of the Oakland Bank of Savings. In 1881 he left that position and went to Solano county, where he purchased a fruit ranch, operating the same until he disposed of it in 1883. In that year he returned to Oakland and here secured a position as clerk in the office of the deputy city marshal, while at the end of a year he became deputy in the office of the city treasurer, discharging the duties of the latter position for six months. Subsequently he was employed as bookkeeper in several mercantile houses until 1886, in which year he entered the First National Bank as bookkeeper, afterward serving as exchange clerk, receiving teller and cashier in that institution. In 1906 he was elected vice president and in that position has since remained an important factor in the control and management of the bank, being also a director. He likewise acts as vice president and director of the First Trust & Savings Bank, which is affiliated with the First National Bank. His rise in financial circles is further attested by the fact that he is now serving as vice president of the Oakland Clearing House, while formerly he was a director of the People's Water Company and the New Oakland Hotel.
In January, 1882, at Oakland, Mr. Burpee was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Isabelle Adams, by whom he has four children, as follows: Earl Lester, who is employed as a salesman by R. A. Leet Company of Oakland; Joseph S., Jr., the cashier of the West Oakland Bank; Donald, who is a public-school student; and Mrs. Roy B. Baker, of Oakland.
Mr. Burpee gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in religious faith is a Methodist. He acts as treasurer of the Young Men's Christian Association and Young Women's Christian Association and is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Oakland Lodge and Chapter and having attained the fourteenth degree of the Scottish Rite. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Nile Club, the Commercial Club, the Home Club of Oakland, the San Francisco Fly Casting Club and the Oakland Scottish Bowling Club. Mr. Burpee looks at life from a broad standpoint, recognizes its obligations and its opportunities and in the enjoyment of the latter never neglects the former.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Pages 63-64
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 5/25/2008
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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