Contra Costa County Biography

R. R. VEALE

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

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

 
On the roster of county officials of Contra Costa County appears the name of R. 
R. Veale, who, following a period of efficient and capable service as a sheriff, 
was elected to this important position in 1894, and has held this office since. 
He is a native of California, and was born in Sonoma County on March 27, 1864. 
His father was one of the well-known figures in early days in California. He 
came to this State via the Isthmus route in 1855, and engaged in stock-raising 
and agricultural pursuits on a small scale. In 1867 he removed to Contra Costa 
County and became prominently identified with the development of this locality. 
R. R. Veale acquired his early education in the public schools, after which he 
took up the vocation of farming on an extensive scale. He had the distinction of 
being the first farmer in the county to use modern and up-to-date methods, such 
as steam-plows and harvesters. He became identified in local and State politics, 
attended many State conventions, and served on the State Republican County 
Committee. In 1894 he was chosen by the people of Contra Costa County as 
sheriff, and he has since served in this office, discharging his duties in his 
usual efficient manner. As sheriff of the county, Mr. Veale has been connected 
with many prominent cases. He captured the criminal, Moore, who killed Kilroy at 
Nevada City. He also captured the criminal who stole over $300,000 of gold 
bullion from the Selby Smelting Company and hid it in the bay. He also captured 
the murderer, McFarland, who killed Garcia on Mount Diablo in 1908. Sheriff 
Veale originated the idea of the rock-pile for hoboes, which has been adopted by 
the sheriffs in many of the counties. He was one of the chief factors in gaining 
the State highway along the bay, which he obtained by inducing various 
corporations to build the road through their own property, or contribute largely 
to the building fund. Mr. Veale went to Washington D. C., as a representative of 
the county to boost the Richmond harbor project. Fraternally, he is a member of 
the Knights Templars, the Royal Arch Chapter, the Eastern Star, the Odd Fellows, 
the Eagles, the Native Sons, the Woodmen, the Moose, the Red Men, U. P. E. C., 
the Knights of Pythias, the Rebekahs, and the Women of Woodcraft. He has served 
twenty years as secretary of the Sheriff's association of California, and 
organization, including the sheriff's of the various counties of the State, 
which meets annually to discuss matters of interest to the different sections, 
and to compare records and exchange ideas and to add generally to the efficiency 
of the sheriff's office. Sheriff Veale's continual re-election to office is the 
best proof of his acceptability to the people. His tireless efforts and 
conscientious work in behalf of progress and general improvement, particularly 
in regard to the betterment of the roads and highways, has gained for him a 
reputation for well-directed activity in the county. Sheriff Veale was elected 
as a delegate to the Republican National Convention held at Chicago in June, 
1916. He was also chosen commissioner from Contra Costa County to the 
Panama-Pacific Exposition held in San Francisco. Mr. Veale was united in 
marriage to Mary E. Martin, of East Oakland, November 11, 1883. To this union 
there are six children - Robert Howard, born May 18, 1885; William Minor, born 
September 10, 1887; Leila E., born January 13, 1890; Mortimer Belshaw, born 
November 18, 1893; Miriam Estelle, born April 21, 1897; Leola Rains, born March 
22, 1899.
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County,  California," Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
pp. 565-566.