Contra Costa County Biography

ERNEST NAVELLIER

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.

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

 
a man of genial personality and keen business ability, is numbered among the 
representative and enterprising business men of Contra Costa County. His birth 
occurred February 1, 1864, and he is a native of France. He acquired his 
education in the schools of his native land, graduating at the age of fifteen. 
His first work after completing his education, at the age of sixteen, was to 
teach school. He continued teaching for two years, when he came to America, and 
located in San Francisco. Here he engaged in the laundry business, in which he 
continued for ten years. Later he removed to Seattle, where he became identified 
with the laundry business for three years. In 1892 he removed to Stege, where he 
operated the first laundry established in Richmond. About this time Mr. 
Navellier purchased five acres on the hillside near Stege, where he erected an 
imposing home. He disposed of his interests in the laundry and became identified 
with the California Cap Company for nine years, in the capacity of shipping 
clerk and foreman. He purchased land on San Pablo Avenue, and was the founder of 
Lafayette Park, which is considered one of the finest picnic grounds on the bay. 
He has contributed in no small degree to the growth and success of Richmond as a 
manufacturing center. His most recent success has been in the establishing of a 
factory for the manufacture of rustic furniture and art ware, which products 
have been sold in large lots all over the United States. Politically, Mr. 
Navellier is affiliated with the Republican party, but has never aspired to 
public office further than to act on the local school board for three years, and 
on the sanitary commission. He has been instrumental in establishing two schools 
in the Stege district. Fraternally, he is a member of the Eagles lodge and 
Foresters of America. On December 28, 1889, he was united in marriage to 
Josephine Pontacq, a native of France. To this union have been born five 
children�Victor, at present shipping clerk for the California Cap Company; Lucy, 
now postmistress at Stege; Louis and Ida, residing at home; and Mary, who died 
at the age of six years.
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, 
pp. 458