Havens, Frank Colton, 1848-1917.

Biography

Frank Colton Havens (1848-1917) a native of Sag Harbor, New York, came to California in 1866, after a year's shipping experience in China. At first employed by the Savings and Loan Society in San Francisco, he formed a stock brokerage firm about 1880 in partnership with Van Dyke Hubbard. He also organized several insurance and investment firms previous to his organization of the Realty Syndicate in 1895 in association with F. M. ("Borax") Smith.

This large scale enterprise involved real estate and utility developments for the whole East Bay. After 1906 Mr. Havens withdrew from active management of the Syndicate to devote himself to the affairs of the People's Water Company and various other real estate promotions in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, but particularly in Piedmont. The extensive plantings of pine and eucalyptus trees on the East Bay hills were a part of all these development activities.

Mr. Havens was twice married. Of the first marriage, to Miss Sadie Bell (Sarah Pierson Bell. Born 4/7/53. San Francisco), of Virginia City, Nevada, there were four children, including his son, Wickham, who likewise became a noted realtor in the Oakland-Berkeley area. His second wife was Lila M. Rand whose sister, Caroline, became the wife of Mr. Havens' nephew, George Sterling, California poet.

From the guide to the Frank Colton Havens Papers, 1881-1935, (The Bancroft Library)