Alameda County Biographies

HAROLD HAVENS

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 

	It is readily conceded that the rapid growth of California's cities is largely due to 
the intelligent efforts of real-estate men, who by keeping the realty market active have 
induced millions of foreign capital to flow to this state and have ever promoted enterprise 
and expansion. One of the men who stands high among these successful promoters is Harold 
Havens, of Berkeley, president of Harold Havens, Incorporated, engaged in real-estate dealing 
and a native of Oakland.
	Mr. Havens received his education in the Oakland schools and Leland Stanford Junior 
University, and was practically reared in a real-estate atmosphere, having ever since his youth 
devoted his energies to that line of business. He has acquired a knowledge of realty values 
which is wonderful in its accuracy, and he readily recognizes an opportunity. He gives his 
customers and patrons the benefit of his vast knowledge in this line and they are assured of 
expert service.
	In Oakland he was connected with the Realty Syndicate and with his brother, Wicham 
Havens, in the Wicham Havens Company, remaining in that city until 1907, when he came to 
Berkeley and acquired by purchase the hillside land overlooking San Francisco bay and the Golden 
Gate. This tract comprised two hundred and eighty-seven acres and he subdivided the same, giving 
it the name of Cragmont. It is divided into attractive residence lots and is highly improved 
with fine roads, drives, parking, flowers and trees, and traction lines traverse the property. 
It commands probably the most attractive view in Alameda county and the most modern street work 
has been put into the subdivision. Cragmont is therefore fast becoming one of the most exclusive 
residence sections of the city. Mr. Havens is also interested in a number of other land 
companies. Moreover, he is a director in the Claremont Hotel Company.
	An incessant worker, Mr. Havens finds his recreation in the open, of which he is a great 
lover, and is as ardent a player as he is a worker. He is deeply devoted to the hunt and has 
trailed and brought down with his gun big game in Alaska, Montana and Nevada. Among his trophies 
is grizzly bear and moose, and he has brought from his hunting trips a collection which is one of 
the finest in the state. Mr. Havens is well known in clubdom, is a member of the Bohemian and 
Family Clubs of San Francisco, the Athenian Club of Oakland and the Fairmont Country Club. 
Careful of his own interests, he has achieved success while he has always been considerate of 
others. He is public-spirited in the most noble sense of the word and is ever ready to place his 
ability and his means at the disposal of worthy public enterprises. A western man, he pulses with 
the western spirit, and he imbues with his enthusiasm all who come in contact with him. Genial 
and pleasant in manner, he has made many friends who prize his close acquaintanceship and is 
highly esteemed and respected by the general public for what he has accomplished and those 
qualities of his character which have made possible his success.

Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914, p. 525