One of the most able, progressive and enterprising young men in public life in Alameda county is Fred Walter Foss, of Berkeley, now creditably serving as chairman of the finance committee of the board of supervisors. He was born in Lynn county, Missouri, on the 1st of August, 1871, and as a boy went to San Francisco, acquiring his education in the public schools of that city. He afterward entered the Commercial high school and, having obtained a thoroughly practical education, accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Central Lumber & Mill Company, with whom he remained from 1887 to 1889. In the latter year he became yard clerk, bookkeeper and salesman for the C. L. Dingley Company and from 1889 to 1893 did capable and loyal work in those capacities. He was then offered a position by the Pacific Lumber Company and accepted it, remaining in this connection until 1895 and winning during that time the confidence of his superiors and the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. Having mastered the details of the lumber business thoroughly, he determined to engage in business for himself and accordingly came to Berkeley, founding the F. W. Foss Company, of which he has since been president. This position has called forth his executive ability, his organizing power and his keen grasp of business detail, and in his management of the affairs under his charge he has clearly demonstrated his possession of these qualities which have made his concern one of the well and favorably known business institutions in the community.
It is not alone along business lines, however, that Mr. Foss has done splendid work for Berkeley, for he has been identified with public affairs in the city for many years, his progressive ideas and the enterprising spirit which dominates all of his activities having proven helpful factors in community upbuilding. Mr. Foss is now a member of the county board of supervisors and as chairman of the finance committee has accomplished a great deal of important and constructive work. He has systematized and reorganized the affairs of the department, putting them upon a strictly business basis, and he has used his influence unfailingly on the side of fairness and justice, giving everyone an equal opportunity for legitimate competition in the awarding of public contracts and the expending of public funds generally. He has been especially farsighted and discriminating in his use of all moneys for improvements of a permanent sort and is recognized as a man whose undoubtful business ability has formed the basis of valuable work in the public service. Mr. Foss is especially interested in securing for Alameda county a first-class public hospital and has progressive ideas concerning its building and equipment which his own words best describe. He says: "I believe that a community with the wealth of Alameda county should have an up-to-date and first class public hospital. The institution should be sanitary in every particular, with advanced scientific medical appliances and conveniences and a credit to the county. I believe that this important measure should be submitted to the people for approval and provided for in a bond issue, the burden of which should be distributed among those who will have need of an institution of this kind in future years."
In San Francisco, in 1893, Mr. Foss was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Renwick, who passed away on New Year's day, 1910, leaving four children, Anita L., Lulu R., William R. and Elmer R. In politics Mr. Foss is a stanch republican and was the first president of the Lincoln-Roosevelt Republican League of Berkeley. He is a member of the Berkeley Elks; Lodge No. 1002, I. O. O. F.; and the Woodmen of the World, and he is past vice chairman of the Hoo Hoos of California. He is undoubtedly one of the most able and prominent men of Berkeley and in business and in politics has made tangible and substantial contributions to municipal growth and development.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Pages 427-429
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 7/5/2008
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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