The morning call., 1891-01-11
JOSEPH f. ATWILL

Was born in the city of Boston on June 4,
1911. His fathers name was Ebenezer At
will. Atan early age the son marched from
the public school boys desk to the printers
case, setting his first stickfnl in the office
of the New England Farmer. Two years
after he abandoned the Ease for clerks
ship in the muSc-Store of Dickson Il Hewitt,
and there learned music engraving and
printing. There he remained until 1928,
when he located with Mr.. Hewitt in New
York City and continued in his employment
until 1882. Having attained his majority he
went into business on his own account,
establishing a music-store at POI Broad
way, New York. where he did
thriving business un.il the dawn of
the golden era in 1s49. Mr. Atwill left
New York for Chagres, September H. 1S4o
on the steamship Crescent City. Among the
since notables on that voyage may be men,
toned the names of David Fl. Haskell. l.
Z. Woods, John Center, Theodore Payne.
Z. 7. Flint, w. X. Van Allen, Ii. NJ. New
hall and the ubiquitous Ned MCGOWAN
From Panama, after detention OF eight
days, they sailed for California in the steam
ship Panama, Bayley commander, which
MI Atwill, therefore, being a pioneer
and now prominent member of
that society. After a brief experience
at the mines Mr.. AtwiI, returning to
San Francisco IN September, 1850, took
possession of tile store on the northwest cor
ner If Clay street and Brennan place, for
merly occupied as the banking house Of
Argent * Co., and also as the Postoilice
1t was known as the Old Zinc Build
ing and until recently remained as
one of the oldest landmarks of
the city. In this building he escaped
the two great fires Of early days. In De-
cember, 1850. he returned to New York,
where he remained year purchasing goods
Before going East, however, and in the
same year, he was elected President of tue
Board of Assistant Aldermen,
In 1851 Mr. Atwill moved again to the
north side of Washington street, near Ma
CURES Opera House, where he conducted
his business as an importer of pianos and a
dealer III other musical instruments until
1860.
In 1852 he was elected Alderman and
President of the board. Between 1851 and
1855 Mr. Atwill was elected Alderman OF
the city of San Francisco four times and
President of the board. He was also a mem-
Der of the first Board of Education of san
Francisco. During this period the Mayors
chair was occupied by BRENNAN, Harris,
Webb and Garrison.
In 1854 Mr.. Atwill erected a private resi-
dence on the northeast corner of Clay and
Powell streets for his family that had ar
rived from New York. The building was
erected at cost Of $40 and Sl2 day to
each workman.
BY the grading of Clay and Powell streets
MIR. Atwill's house was left thirty-hye feet
IN the air. absolutely destroying its value as
a family residence and forcing the owner to
sell al great sacrifice.
In the spring of 1860 Mr.. Atwill went
to Virginia City, in the then Territory
of Nevada. Here he engaged in merchan-
dising, and was no less than five times
elected Justice of the Peace In 1867 he
returned to California, and in 1871 removed
TO Oakland, where he has since resided. He
is a member of the Veteran Tippecanoe
Club, which took so active a part in Oak
land during the last Presidential campaign.
1t is composed of men who took part in the
famous temperance and Tyler too" cam
paign, nearly fifty years ago, and who voted
for the grandson with the same zeal that
had marked their vote for the grandsire