Alameda County Biographies

FRANK K. MOTT

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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


 
        Among the prominent and representative men of Alameda county none stands 
higher nor possesses a wider circle of friends than Frank K. Mott, the mayor of 
Oakland. A self-made man who, by his natural leadership, initiative and 
unswerving principles of honor, has risen from humble station through the 
several positions of messenger boy, clerk, merchant, real-estate dealer, member 
of city council and several times mayor of Oakland. In every capacity he has 
measured up to the highest standards of efficiency and more than satisfied the 
expectations of his friends and party.
        Frank K. Mott was born in San Francisco, January 21, 1866. His parents, 
Peter D. and Fannie K. Mott were from New York state and settled in San 
Francisco at an early day. Leaving school at the age of twelve years and working 
as a messenger boy for the Western Union and American District Telegraph 
Company, his education was of necessity very limited. However in a year's time 
he had advanced to the position of clerk and collector for the company, and he 
remained there for four years, at the end of which time he entered the employ of 
George S. Brown, a hardware merchant of Oakland.
        When he was twenty-two years of age Mr. Mott entered into partnership 
with A. E. Howard and together they succeeded to a part of the business. This 
firm continued for eleven years when Mott bought his partner out and became sole 
proprietor. In January, 1907, he sold his mercantile business and founded the 
well known firm of Frank K. Mott Company, real-estate brokers, whose extensive 
dealings and manifold improvements have helped so materially toward a greater 
Oakland.
        In the meantime, in 1897, he was appointed to the city council and 
chairman of the committee on finance by Mayor Pardee, afterward governor of 
California. In this capacity he served for two years, the last year of which 
time he was president of the council. In 1899 he was elected on the republican 
ticket to the council again. Another honor was bestowed upon him in 1905 when he 
was elected mayor of Oakland on the republican ticket, having also received 
endorsement of the democratic party and the Municipal League. He was elected 
again in 1907 to succeed himself, being a candidate of all parties. Since then 
two elections have been held, in 1909 and 1911, and he has been reelected both 
times.
        Mr. Mott is a member of the Nile and Athenian Clubs, and is active in 
Masonic, Elk, Knights of Pythias, Moose and Native Sons orders. He has also 
served on the republican state central committee. He is organizer, president and 
stockholder of the Frank K. Mott Company and several allied corporations. He is 
director in the Security Bank & Trust Company and was president of the League of 
California Municipalities.
        Mr. Mott was married in 1911 to Mrs. Gertrude Bennett.
 
Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914