Investigation into the business, political and legal history of Alameda county indicates the prominence of George E. De Golia, whose position is one of honor and distinction. Energy and perserverance, keen mentality, clear insight, laudable ambition and strong purpose have carried him to his present position. His is the record of a man whom California is proud to claim as a native son, and he was born in Hangtown, now Placerville, on the 3rd of May, 1857, his parents being Darwin and Lavinia (Baldwin) De Golia. His father was one of the early gold seekers, coming to California in 1849. As the years passed on he won place among the influential citizens of Placerville and for years was proprietor of the Placerville Republican. In community affairs he exerted a wide and beneficial influence, and his name is inscribed deeply on the pages of the history of El Dorado county
and Placerville, in which city he made his home until 1873, when he moved to Oakland so that his children could attend the State University.
After attending the grammar and high schools of Placerville, George E. De Golia became a student in the University of California, from which he was graduated in June, 1877, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. His early environment had to do with the rugged conditions of pioneer times, when California was the home of gold seekers, many of whom were adventurers--men without principle, caring for naught save the gold which they might secure, honestly or otherwise. Among all these, however, was a little percentage of substantial citizens, who laid the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of this great commonwealth. In preparation for the practice of law George E. De Golia began reading in the office of Vrooman & Davis, the senior partner being recognized as a most brilliant member of the bar and an influential republican, occupying a position of leadership in political ranks for many years. Through this association he became well acquainted with Leland Stanford, John F. Swift, Stephen T. Gage, Governor Henry T. Gage, Edson Adams, Henry Carpentier and many other well known citizens of Alameda county and the state. On the retirement of Mr. Vrooman from politics Mr. De Golia became the republican leader in Alameda county.
In the meantime, in his early manhood, after completing his preliminary reading, Mr. De Golia was admitted to practice upon examination before the supreme court of California, November 10, 1879, and was admitted to practice before the United States district courts, August 24, 1888, the United States circuit court, May 22, 1889, and the United States supreme court, October 11, 1904. After he began his professional career he became associated with Henry Vrooman and so continued until the latter's death in 1889, the partnership between them being thus terminated. Since then he has practiced alone and has won for himself a foremost position as a representative of the bar. The concensus of public opinion places him in a position of leadership among the distinguished lawyers of the state. He is the representative of a number of large corporations and of many of these is a director. The number includes: the Bank of Germany, the Fresno Cactus Nursery Company and the Montana Smelting Company, of all of which he is a director. The Theo Gier Corporation; the Meeker Land Company; and a number of mining companies. Mr. De Golia, while having financial interests in many of these important industrial, commercial and financial enterprises, displaying sound judgment as a factor in their control, regards his law practice as his real life work, and his comprehensive study of the science of the profession and his familiarity with precedent and principle have gained him the distinguished honors which have deservedly come to him.
On the 23d of June, 1883, Mr. De Golia was united in marriage to Miss Carrie B. Rabe, and both are well known in social circles of Oakland. Mrs. De Golia is a daughter of William Rabe, an early settler of San Francisco, who with other influential citizens was sent to Washington to aid in influencing the support of a bill to assist the building of the railroads over the mountains to connect with California. Mr. and Mrs. De Golia have two children, George E. and Mrs. Challen R. Parker, both of Oakland. Throughout his entire professional career Mr. De Galia has taken active interest, as previously indicated, in the political situation and has long been a potent force in molding public thought and action in this section of the state. He was assistant district attorney of Alameda county from 1883 until 1889, his record in this position indicating not only his legal ability but his marked public spirit. For a number of years, beginning in the latter part of the '80s and extending through more than a decade, he controlled republican activity, dictating the policies of the party with an understanding that rose from comprehensive study of the situation as well as keen insight into the great state and national issues. Toward the close of the century, however, he gave up his political activity to devote himself entirely to his legal interests, which were of growing extent and importance. During his entire career he has accepted no office for himself except that of assistant district attorney under Judge Sam T. Hall from 1883 until 1889.
Mr. De Golia has been very prominent also in promoting social and fraternal interests of county and state. He organized the local lodge of Elks, was honored with the position of exalted ruler and is now president of the Elks Hall Association. He induced the order to purchase its present location at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars, a property which is now worth many times that amount. He gave two years of his time to the interests of Elkdom in California. He worked for the clean and wholesome interests of the organization and succeeded in placing it in California on the high plane which it occupies today. He caused the old Elk Lodge of San Francisco to lose its charter, and the lodge was reorganized on a basis that everywhere commands respect. For three years at intervals he was district deputy of the Elks. He was also one of the organizers and directors of the Claremont Country Club and aided in selecting the site of its present building. He was a charter member and the first secretary of the Athenians, and in Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He greatly enjoys outdoor life and all manly athletic sports, finding recreation and pleasure in tennis and golf especially. In every relation of life and in every activity he is strong and purposeful. His interests have been wide and varied and have largely been of a character that has contributed to public progress. What he has accomplished has worked for the benefit of the community and for public welfare, and he stands as a splendid representative of that profession which the public has rightfully come to regard as the conservator of the life and liberties and the rights of the individual and the community.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Pages 242-247
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 6/08/2008
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