USA > California > A history of the new California, its resources and people; Vol I > Part 50
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In 1881 Mr. Howard was married to Miss Sarah Morton, a native of Mariposa county, California, and a daughter of Edmond G. Morton, a native of New Hampshire. Her father came to this state in the early fifties, and was for several years engaged in mining in Mariposa county. Later he followed farming in Sacramento and Colusa counties. Mrs. Howard has won prestige in musical circles, having formerly been a lead- ing teacher of both vocal and instrumental music. She was trained by some of the ablest musical professors of America, and her work does credit to her instructors. She is recognized as a leader in both social and musical circles in Sacramento.
Mr. Howard belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West, his mem- bership being in Sacramento Parlor No. 3. He is also connected with the National Union. In politics he is a Republican, and was a member of the city board of education in 1886. His interest in politics is that of the loyal American citizen who regards it a duty as well as a privilege to exercise his right of franchise and keep well informed on the issues and questions relating to the welfare and progress of the country, whether local, state or national.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
THOMAS ROSS, M. D.
The state of California with its pulsing industrial activities and rapid development has attracted within its confines men of marked ability and high character in the various professional lines, and in this way progress has been conserved and social stability fostered. He whose name initiates this review has gained recognition as one of the able and successful physicians of the state, and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling qualities has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and the local public. He has been honored with various official positions in the different medical societies to which he belongs, and this fact stands in incontrovertible evidence of the fact that he has won prestige among those who are best able to judge of his skill and who recognize his close and conscientious adherence to the ethics of the profession.
Dr. Ross was born in Lancaster, Glengarry county, Ontario, Canada, in 1839, a son of Murdoch and Catharine (Ross) Ross, both of whom were natives of Scotland, and the mother settled in Canada in 1812. The maternal grandfather was a United Empire Royalist. Murdoch Ross emigrated from Scotland to America in 1830, took up his abode in Canada and was married there in 1832. He was a manufacturer of carriages and farming implements, carrying on an extensive business. He died in Lancaster, in April, 1876, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife passed away on the 9th of July, 1849, at the age of thirty-six years. Dr. Ross is the eldest of their sons and daughters, the others being Bathia, the wife of A. L. Fortne, of Enderby, British Columbia; Janet, the wife of Dr. Harkness, of Lancaster, Ontario; and John, a farmer residing near Lancaster.
Following his pursuance of a course of study in the common school Dr. Ross attended St. Andrew's Academy, in Argentueil county, province of Quebec, and at the age of twenty years entered the medical departinent of McGill University at Montreal, where he was graduated with the class of 1863, the degrees of Doctor of Medicine and Master of Chirurgery being conferred upon him. Following his graduation he went to Washington, D. C., and at a later day located in his native town, entering upon the general practice of medicine and surgery. There he continued for seven years, his knowledge being continually broadened by reading and experience.
The year 1870 witnessed the arrival of Dr. Ross in California. He located at Woodland, Yolo county, where he remained in active practice for twenty-three years, being one of the early physicians of that place. In 1893 he removed to Sacramento and established a practice which has constantly grown to the present time, so that it makes heavy demands upon his energies, and tests his skill and ability. His excellent qualifications, however, well prepare him to cope with the intricate problems of disease which continually confront the physician. Various honors and public duties have been con- ferred upon him in connection with his profession. He was the first president of the Yolo County Medical Society and was county physician of that county for four years, and was also a member of the board of health of Woodland. From 1896 until 1900 he was treasurer of the California State Medical
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Society, and at the session of 1900 was elected president-the highest office within the gift of the medical fraternity of the state. He was chief surgeon and superintendent of the Southern Pacific Railroad Hospital from 1899 until 1904, and at this writing in 1904 is president of the Sacramento city board of health and president of the board of United States examining sur- geons for the bureau of pensions at Sacramento. He has held this office since July, 1897, and is the present incumbent. He belongs to the Sacra- mento Society for Medical Improvement.
Dr. Ross has held other offices outside the strict path of his profession, having in May, 1891, been elected mayor of Woodland, California. in which position he was retained until he resigned the office in 1893, preparatory to his removal to Sacramento. While in the former city he was nominated on the Republican ticket for a member of the assembly, and although he polled a larger vote than was given most nominees of his party, the county went Democratic and he was defeated. He has always been a stanch advocate of Republican views, and has worked persistently for the success of the party both in his city and state. He has been a delegate to the county and state conventions, and was a delegate at the time George C. Perkins was nomi- nated for governor.
Dr. Ross has been married twice. In 1870 he wedded Miss Martha Lindsay, of Franklin county, New York, a daughter of Captain A. Lindsay, who was a soldier of the Civil war. Mrs. Ross died in 1881, leaving a daughter, Leta R. In 1886 Dr. Ross was again married, his second union being with Miss Susan I. Chiles, a native of California and a daughter of J. W. and Elizabeth (Barnes) Chiles, the former a pioneer of California of 1849. He operated a ferry boat across the Sacramento river at a very early day, and later engaged extensively in farming in Yolo county, making a specialty of the raising of wheat. He is acknowledged to be the oldest pioneer voter of his county. By the second marriage there are three daugh- ters: Janet, Dorothy and Bathia.
Socially Dr. Ross is connected with the Masons, belonging to both the lodge and chapter. His is a personality that wins friends, for back of a genial disposition and unfailing courtesy are a kindly nature and broad humanitarian principles. Moreover, he is well qualified for leadership, and makes an excellent presiding officer because of his tact, his dignity and his impartial rulings. He is a man of strong force of character, of marked individuality, of keen intellectuality and honorable purpose,-qualities which have won for him in eminent degree the respect and regard of his fellow citizens and many acquaintances throughout the state.
GROVE LAWRENCE JOHNSON.
Whatever else may be said of the legal fraternity, it cannot be denied that members of the bar have been more prominent actors in public affairs than any other class of the community. This is but the natural result of causes which are manifest and require no explanation. The ability and training which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects
Grove D. Johnson.
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for duties which lie outside the strict path of his profession and which touch the general interests of society. Holding marked precedence among the members of the bar of California is Hon. Grove Lawrence Johnson, who is also a recognized leader in Republican circles and who has been honored with the positions of state legislator and state senator and member of Con- gress. As the recipient of public trusts he has been most faithful to his duty, laboring earnestly to advance the welfare of the state along lines of material progress and substantial improvement.
Mr. Johnson was born in Syracuse, New York, on the 27th of March, 1841. He is a son of Quincy Adams and Juliet Josephine (Redington) Johnson. The father was born in Carthage, Jefferson county, New York, and traced his ancestry back to 1686, when the first of the name in the new world came from England. The family was represented in the Revolution- ary war and the grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812. Quincy Adams Johnson was a lawyer by profession and won a notable place at the Syracuse bar, where he continued in practice up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1856. He was widely recognized as a most earnest champion of the anti-slavery cause and was a man of prominence, leaving the impress of his individuality upon public thought, feeling and action. The maternal ancestors of Mr. G. L. Johnson came from France early in the eighteenth century, locating in St. Lawrence county, New York. Mrs. Johnson passed away in 1854 about two years prior to the death of her husband.
Hon. Grove L. Johnson was educated in the public schools of Syracuse, being graduated from what would now be called the high school department at the very early age of thirteen years. Following his father's death, which occurred about that time, he entered upon the study of the law. At the time of his father's demise he was thrown upon his own resources and at the age of fifteen years began clerking in a law office for the munificent salary of fifteen dollars per month. It was necessary that he provide for his own support, and in addition to his work as a law clerk he also did copying for other attorneys. It required careful management in order for him to meet necessary expenses, but he was determined in his effort to obtain a knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence in order that he might become an active member of the bar. When only six days past twenty-one he was admitted, and throughout his career as a lawyer he has steadily advanced because of his earnest purpose, his diligent research and careful study and his devotion to the interests of his clients. After his admission to the bar he practiced for a short time in the east and in 1863 came to California.
Mr. Johnson had been married at the age of nineteen years, and when he sought a home on the Pacific coast he left his wife and family in New York, coming to the west to be clerk with his brother, Captain P. B. John- son, quartermaster in the United States service. He remained with him until May, 1865, when he established his home in Sacramento, where he has ever since resided. In the fall of that year he returned to the east and brought his family to California. In this city he was appointed by
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E. B. Ryan to the position of deputy county assessor and held that office for two years. In 1866 he was appointed swamp land clerk by the board of supervisors, holding that office until 1874. He was also clerk in the surveyor general's office from 1868 until 1871, and in these various posi- tions he won commendation because of his capability and his faithful per- formance of duty. On the Ist of May, 1874, having partially regained his health, which up to that date had been poor, he entered upon the active practice of law in Sacramento and has since continued at the bar of this city, steadily advancing in his chosen calling until he now occupies the posi- tion of leader of the bar in the central and northern portion of California and stands deservedly high with recognized prestige amongst all the lawyers of the state. He prepares his cases with wide research and provident care, never confining his reading to the limitations of the question at issue, but going beyond, encompassing every contingency. His logical grasp of facts and principles involved in the cases entrusted to his care and of the law applicable to them has been another potent element in his success. In the presentation of his case there is a remarkable clearness of expression and an adequate and precise diction which enables him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument but his every fine gradation of meaning. As a criminal lawyer he has been very successful, never has lost a case where he was employed to defend. He is one of the most eloquent men ever in our state, whether addressing juries in the court room or the people on public or political questions. Mr. Johnson has been connected with all the important litigation arising in central California for many years. He was one of the attorneys for Sacramento in the notable contest concerning the attempted removal of the state capitol from Sacramento, and to his argument much of the successful defeat of that effort is due. In the case of the People vs. Hurtado, reported in volume 63 of the Cali- fornia Reports, he succeeded in changing the rule of evidence in prosecu- tions for murder, where the defense is insanity, so as to restrict the testimony to the communications made to the defendant, thus cutting off the sensa- tional tales of domestic trouble or marital infidelity that prior to that time had been permitted to warp jurors' minds.
It has not been at the bar alone, however, that Mr. Johnson has gained prominence and won distinction, for in political circles he has been for many years a recognized leader and one whose influence has been a marked ele- ment in shaping the policy of the state on many questions affecting its ma- terial and political welfare. He votes with the Republican party and is a stanch champion of its measures. In 1877 he was elected upon its ticket to the office of assemblyman and in 1879 was elected state senator. He has been found in the council chambers of the nation, for in 1894 he was elected to Congress, representing the second district of California. In 1898 he was again chosen to the assembly, was re-elected in 1900 and for the third successive term in 1902. During each term he was chairman of the judi- ciary committee, the most important committee of the assembly, and received each session a vote of thanks from that body for his services. He is recog- nized as the most active working member of the house, giving careful con-
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sideration to each question which comes up for settlement and many legis- lative enactments bear the strong impress of his individuality, his keen analytical mind and his patriotic citizenship.
In fraternal circles Mr. Johnson is also well and widely known. He is a past great sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men, a past grand representative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, past chief patri- arch of the encampment, past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, past noble arch of the Order of Druids, past chief ranger of the Foresters of America and past master workman of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and is an honored member of the Elks and also of the Eagles. His personal qualities won him 'strong friendships among his brethren of these fraternities, and have gained him distinctive preferment in official connec- tion with the different orders with which he is affiliated.
On the Ioth of January, 1861, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage at Syracuse, New York, to Miss Annie Williamson de Montfredy, a daughter of Albert de Montfredy, who was a native of France and came to America with his father at the outbreak of the French revolution, the family home being established in New York. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson : Albert M., who is now practicing law in San Francisco; Josephine, the wife of A. R. Fink, cashier of the Earl Fruit Company, of California; Hiram W., who is practicing law with his brother in San Francisco; Mary, who died in 1900; and Mabel, the wife of Bruce L. Dray, a land attorney of Sacramento. The wife and mother passed away December 8, 1903. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, being a great- granddaughter of General Philip Van Courtlandt of the continental army. She was a devoted wife and mother, and her many excellent qualities of heart and mind won her the warm friendship and esteem of those with whom she came in contact.
Though heavy demands have been made upon his time and attention through professional, political and fraternal associations Mr. Johnson has always found opportunity to enhance the welfare and happiness of his fam- ily, where his deepest interest centers, and to labor zealously for the advance- ment of the interests of his home city of Sacramento. His is a sturdy American character with a stalwart patriotism. He has a strong attach- ment for our free institutions, being ever willing to make personal sacrifices for their preservation. A man of stern integrity and honesty of principles, he despises all unworthy or questionable means to secure success in any undertaking or for any purpose or to promote his own advancement in any direction whether political or otherwise. It is our duty to mark our appre- ciation of such a man, a man true in every relation of life, faithful to every trust, a statesman diligent in the service of his country and seeking only the public good.
FREDERICK WILLIAM MAHL.
Frederick William Mahl, who has filled the position of mechanical engin- eer for the Southern Pacific Company since the 15th of February, 1895, and makes his headquarters in Sacramento, was born in Louisville, Kentucky,
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July 21, 1866. His father, William Mahl, was a native of Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany, and in the year 1850 came to America, settling in Louisville, Ken- tucky. He is now comptroller of the Southern Pacific Company, Union Pa- cific Railroad, Chicago & Alton Railroad, Oregon Railway & Navigation Company and the Oregon Shortline Railway, with headquarters at New York. He was originally with the Louisville, Cincinnati & Lexington Railroad Company, and in 1882 he went to New York as comptroller and assistant to the president of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Company.
He married Miss Mary Ann Skidmore, who was born in Crewe, Eng- land, and is now residing in New York. They lost one son, J. T. Mahl, who was engineer of the maintenance of way of the Atlantic system of the Southern Pacific Company up to the time of his death, which occurred March 30, 1901. The only daughter, Edith, is now the wife of Walter C. Barnes, a resident of New York. Another daughter is deceased.
Frederick William Mahl received his early mental training as a public school student in Louisville, Kentucky, and he attended the Stevens high school at Hoboken, New Jersey. Subsequently he served his apprentice- ship as a machinist in the shops of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Com- pany and later took a special course in Cornell University, in which he graduated with the class of 1889. He then accepted a position as drafts- man in the Schenectady Locomotive Works, Schenectady, New York, where he remained until the Ist of December, 1890. He was made inspec- tor and engineer of tests of the works, occupying that position until the Ist of August, 1894. On that date he was appointed inspector of work of the Southern Pacific Company, with headquarters at Sacramento, Califor- nia, and on the 15th of February, 1895, was appointed mechanical engin- eer of the Southern Pacific Company and has since acted in that capacity.
On the 18th of July, 1888, Mr. Mahl was married in New York city to Miss Virginia Elizabeth Stoddard, who was born in California and is a daughter of William Moses and Virginia Stoddard. Her father, a repre- sentative of one of the old American families, is of English lineage, and the ancestral history gives account of loyal service rendered by representa- tives of the name to the cause of the colonists in the war of the Revolution. The family was established in Connecticut at a very early day. For a num- ber of years Mr. Stoddard was engaged in merchandising in Sacramento, but is now living retired. To Mr. and Mrs. Mahl have been born three children : Virginia Skidmore and Felicia Wilson, who are in school; and Frederick William Mahl, Jr.
As a representative of the Masonic fraternity Mr. Mahl has attained the Knight Templar degree. He also belongs to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Phi Delta Theta college fraternity. His political support is given to the Republican party, but he has never sought or desired office, preferring to win advancement along the line of his chosen business interests. He has now for about nine years occupied a very impor- tant position with the Southern Pacific Company, and his course has been such as to win for him the unqualified confidence of those whom he repre- sents.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
LINCOLN PHILIP WILLIAMS.
Lincoln Philip Williams, county auditor of Sacramento county, is a native son of the Golden state, and a man of self-acquired success that de- serves the highest praise. He has been a hard worker since he was thirteen years of age, and each step of progress has been made possible by his own previous attention to business and careful direction of his resources to the best interests of those whom he served. While his best efforts have been given to his business affairs, he has shown commendable interest in public enterprises, and his election to his present responsible office is the result of the high regard in which he is held by his many friends and fellow-citizens.
Mr. Williams was born in San Francisco, April 7, 1865, a son of F. O. A. and Fannie (Timmins) Williams, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Ireland. His father came to California in 1860, and was a com- positor and foreman on the Examiner until his death, which occurred in 1874, when the boy Lincoln was but nine years of age. The latter's mother survived her husband until 1903. There were six children in the family, but the three daughters are all dead. Edward W., ex-clerk of the San Francisco justice court, is now with James A. Snook and Company, merchants of San Francisco; and Richard is employed by the Alaska Canning Company.
Lincoln P. Williams was educated in the public schools and the Sacred Heart College at San Francisco. When thirteen years old he began learning the trade of bookbinding with Richard J. Whelan, formerly sheriff of San Francisco county, and remained with him for four years. In 1882 he began work for Bartling & Phillips in the same business, and remained with them until he came to Sacramento in 1888. In Sacramento he became assistant foreman in the state bindery under A. J. Johnston. In 1897 he was pro- moted to the position of foreman, and remained in that capacity until 1902. When the offices of recorder and auditor were separated in the latter year, he became a candidate on the Republican ticket for the latter office, and was elected for the term of four years, being the present popular and efficient incumbent.
Mr. Williams has done his share of political work in the interests of the Republican party, and was a member of the county central committee in 1898-1902. He has belonged to the bookbinders' union since 1887. He was married in San Francisco, April 21, 1891, to Miss Ollie C. Smithi, a native of Sacramento and a daughter of a well-known California pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have lost their only child, a daughter.
ROSS C. SARGENT.
Among the many notable men who have lived in San Joaquin county, perhaps no one was more widely or favorably known than Ross Sargent. For over a half century he lived in the county and his influence and strength of character were always wielded toward progressive lines and for the up- building of the county and state of his adoption. His success in life was not attributable to any element of chance but on the contrary to a persistent
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purpose formed during the earliest annals of the county of which he was one of the earliest pioneers.
He was a native of Thornton, Grafton county, New Hampshire, born in 1821 and descended from sturdy New England stock. His earlier years were spent on the home farm, and when eighteen years of age he moved to Boston, where for a short period he worked for wages, afterward engaging in the milk business with his brother, J. P. Sargent.
In 1847 he went to Chicago and was the pioneer ice merchant of that city. This enterprise he conducted for about two years, and in 1849, in com- pany with his two brothers J. L. and J. P. Sargent, he started overland for California, arriving on October 13, 1849. For a year and a half they engaged in mining, merchandising and teaming in Placerville, but in 1851 came to San Joaquin county, pre-empted land and started farming. From that time he began increasing his holdings by purchase and by reclamation of the rich overflowed land so that he became one of the largest land-holders in the county, his holdings reaching in the neighborhood of twenty-five thousand acres. Mr. Sargent used up-to-date methods in farming and has been notably successful. He invested heavily in different manufacturing enterprises in the county and also in city property in Stockton. As the years have passed, these holdings have grown enormously in value, and at the time of his death, June 15, 1903, he left an extremely valuable estate. Mr. Sargent was popular with all classes of people. He was an unassuming man and always showed great consideration for the rights of other people. Lib- eral and charitable to almost an excess, it is not strange that his death caused genuine sorrow in the homes of a large percentage of the people who knew and honored him. Mr. Sargent's large donation to the building of the Val- ley road is but one indication of his public spirit, but it was so in all matters where the betterment of the county was involved.
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