Alameda County Biographies

PERRY A. HAVILAND

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 

	One of the most valued and representative citizens of Oakland is Perry A. Haviland, 
well known in official circles in Alameda county from his many years of continuous service in 
the department of engineering with which he is still connected as county surveyor. He was born 
in Fort Dodge, Iowa, September 8, 1865, and there acquired a public-school education, later 
entering the Iowa State University where he took a thorough engineering course. After finishing 
his studies at the university he was tendered a position with the Union Pacific Railway Company 
in the engineering department and after several years' satisfactory service with them came to 
California. He established a private engineering office in San Luis Obispo and for two years did 
work of various kinds in line with his profession, serving as consulting engineer, draftsman, 
and in similar capacities. Following this he came to Oakland, where he took up his residence. 
At about this time he accepted a position in the city engineer's office, where he remained for 
several years.
	Mr. Haviland has been connected with the department of engineering in various capacities 
in Alameda county for the past eighteen years. As county surveyor he has conducted the work of 
his office in a businesslike and systematic manner, and the public is to be congratulated in 
securing the services of a man of his broad experience, integrity and unquestioned ability in 
the engineering department of the county. He is uniformly courteous and prompt in his business 
transactions and in his dealing with his associates and office staff. The best proof of his 
popularity is the fact that he has, for two elections, received the indorsement of both the 
republican and democratic parties and at the last election was nominated by the republican, 
democratic and union labor parties. Mr. Haviland has recently had supervision of some very 
important public work. The county boulevard, which was planned by him, is widely known as one 
of the finest works of its kind in the state.
	Mr. Haviland's marriage to Miss Anna Knight of San Francisco, who comes from a prominent 
English family, took place in that city in 1895. There are two children in the family, Marian, 
a daughter of eighteen and a son Carlton, aged fourteen.
	Mr. Haviland has had to make his own way in the world and is what is generally called a 
self-made man. During his long residence in Oakland he has become well liked in both his social 
and business intercourse and has many firm friends throughout the county.

Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914, p. 7