Contra Costa County Biography

ROBERT HARKINSON

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
Among the strong financial institutions of Contra Costa County is the Bank of 
Antioch, and among the bankers of prominence in that city is Robert Harkinson, 
who as cashier has done much toward securing for his institution the foremost 
position in banking circles that it now occupies. His banking experiences extend 
over many years, and he has since 1891, been connected with that institution. 
Mr. Harkinson was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, the son of Charles and 
Katherine (Schmale) Harkinson. He received his education in the public schools 
of Philadelphia. In 1874 he came to California and at the age of nineteen became 
identified with the Bank of Dixon, California. He remained with this bank until 
1883, when he went to San Luis Obispo until 1891, when he accepted a position as 
cashier of the Bank of Antioch, and still holds this position. He is careful, 
painstaking, and systematic, and, as a student of human nature and conditions, 
seldom has made an error in extending credit or making investments. The 
institution of which he is cashier has greatly prospered through his efforts, 
and he is readily conceded to be among the able and well-informed men in his 
line of work in the county. Mr. Harkinson was united in marriage to Alice E. 
Brinkerhoff, a native of California. To this union was born Maud Bernice, wife 
of D.  M. Roberts, of Berkeley, California.  Mr. Harkinson is held in high 
regard by his business associates, by reason of his enterprise, integrity, and 
sterling personal worth.
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
pp. 544-545.