An illustrated history of Sacramento County, California : containing a history of Sacramento County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also prominent citizens of today, Part 115

Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 916

USA > California > Sacramento County > An illustrated history of Sacramento County, California : containing a history of Sacramento County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also prominent citizens of today > Part 115

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A young man then drew a bead on the Indian with his rifle, but Mr. Fisher stopped him al- most in the act of shooting. When they reached Fort Hall, they met the commanding officer of the department, who gave them a company of soldiers to.escort them through a country filled with savage Indians, where a whole train had been massacred the year before. Every night they could see the Indian signal fires burning brightly on the hills. They proceeded to Ore- gon by Lander's cut-off, which had not been nsed for two or three years, and they had to ent and clear away trees that had fallen across the road. One of the party died on this road, and was buried in a beautiful valley. The Meyers family, refugees from a train which was at- tacked and dispersed by the Indians, were only a few days behind them, and were picked up by the Government escort. On reaching Oregon City, they remained there until 1861, when they went to Salem, and were located there cight years, during which time the Rev. Mr. Fisher built the first and only Baptist Church there, and served as pastor of the congregation for some years. He helped on its construction also as a carpenter. In 1868 he brought his family to Columbia, Tuolumne County, California, where he served as pastor of the church there until removing to Santa Clara. There he was pastor for three years, then at Marysville for a time, next at Santa Clara again, and from there went to Virginia City, Nevada. He built a church at Virginia City and one at Carson, and officiated as pastor at both. He next went to Reno, thence to Santa Cruz, from there to Red Bluff, and then back to Reno, where he is now pastor of the First Baptist Church. He is at this writing in his seventy-third year, having been born at Norwich, England, December 26, 1817. She was married June 13, 1841, by Rev. C. P. Sheldon, pastor of the Baptist Church at Whites- borough, Oneida County, New York, to Miss A. T. Kinsey, who was born in Otsego County, New York, November 16, 1821. George S. Fisher, subject of this sketch, received his first schooling at Dell Prairie, Wisconsin, afterward

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

received instruction at different places where the family resided, and from his father, who is a fine classical scholar. When a boy he learned the painters' trade. On the 12th of December, 1864, he enlisted at Salem. Oregon, in Company C, First Oregon Volunteer Regiment. He went to Fort Vancouver, thence by the steamer Pa- cific to Fort Steilacoom, on Puget Sound. He was there appointed Corporal of the company, which was commanded by Captain Paul Clark Crandall, who is now in the department of jus- tice, Washington, District of Columbia. He was stationed there until the 1st of July, 1865, when he was appointed to the hospital of the First Oregon Infantry Regiment, and went to Fort Stephens, at the mouth of the Columbia River, on the Oregon side. He remained in charge there until mustered out of the service, having been honorably discharged on the 31st of October, 1865. He rejoined the family at Salem, and then he and his father kept hotel, at two houses, for two years. Atter that they were in the wholesale and retail grocery and crockery business for about a year. After that he studied dentistry. At Sonora, three miles south of Co- lumbia, Tuolumne County, he finished the ac- quirement of the profession of dentistry under Doctor Monendez. He rejoined his father's family at Santa Clara, and practiced his profes- sion there a short time. He clerked and drove on long trips for John Woodney, who had the telegraph and Wells-Fargo offices. Leaving there he came to Sacramento, and thence pro- ceeded to Marysville, where the family then were. He remained there about a year, clerk- ing for Mr. Cooley, in the crockery business. His next employment was with Thomas Dou- gall, and after that with Mr. Walsh, both of whom were in the dry-goods business. Tiring of indoor employment, he applied for a situation to Superintendent Bowen, of the Oregon Di- vision of the Central Pacific Railroad, and on March 20. 1870, he went to work as a brake- man for a time, next as freight conductor and extra on passenger, and finally as conductor on regular passenger train for seven years, for the

past five years of which he has been on the short run from Sacramento to Knight's Land- ing. While on this run he was collector for the Southern Pacific Company's steamers, and dep- uty constable, but gave that up to take a better position as deputy sheriff under Moses Drew. He holds that position by re-appointment under Sheriff Mc Mullen, and is Southern Pacific Com- pany's officer at the depot and vicinity. Mr. Fisher was married in Sacramento, September 2, 1874, to Miss Alice M. Powell, a native of Sontlı Adams, Massachusetts, and daughter of George L. and Lydia R. (Burlingame) Powell, who are now residents of San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have three children, viz .: Low- rena L., Georgie A. and Willie A. Mr. Fisher is a member of Industrial Lodge, No. 157, I. O. O. F .; of Ben Bow Lodge, No. 229, Sons of St. George, and of Sierra Nevada Division, No. 195, Order of Railway Conductors. Politically he is an active Republican. Under Governor Gibbs' administration in Oregon, he was enrolling and engrossing clerk in the State Legislature, his father being at the same time sergeant-at-arms. For the past four years he has been aide to grand marshal in the Fourth of July and memorial day parades. In the memorial parade day of 1889, he was chief aide to Grand Marshal George W. Railton, and on July 4, 1889, he was aide to Grand Marshal R. D. Stephens.

ENRY L. ECKMAN, one of the promi_ nent young business men of Sacramento who has made his start in this city, is a native of Germany, born at Hamburg on the 15th of November, 1857, his parents being Henry L., Sr., and Katie (Deden) Eckman, the father a business man. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated at his native place, and there took his first lessons in the handling of business. In 1881 he came to the United States and located in Sacramento, Cali- fornia, where he engaged as clerk for Mr. Steinmeyer, ou the corner of Fourth and P

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

streets. On the 1st of January, 1884, Mr. Eckman sneceeded to the proprietorship of the store, and has built up a very large trade by fair and honest dealing, and the exercise of judicious business principles. The store was started by John Schoeness, who put up the building for the purpose. He was succeeded by F. W. Steinmeyer (who formerly kept across the street), and as before stated Mr. Steinmeyer was succeeded by Mr. Eckman in 1884. Mr. Eekman was married in this city December 19, 1887, to Miss Annie Dressler, a native of Ger- many. Mr. Eekman is a member of Friendship Council, No. 65, Chosen Friends, and of the Verein-Eintracht. Mr. Eckman belongs to the younger elass of business men in Sacramento, who are now becoming such an important factor in commercial eireles here, as elsewhere. He is an active, enterprising man, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his friends and patrons.

X. EBNER, of the firm of Ebner Bros., wholesale liquor dealers, ranks among the most active business men of Sacramento. He is a native of Baden, Germany, born Octo- ber 28, 1829. His father, Charles Ebner, was a lumber dealer and buteher, also carrying on general mercantile business. His mother's maiden name was Schmidt. He was reared at his native place (Waldshut-bei Freiburg), where he spent the years between the ages of six and fourteen attending the Government schools, and afterward at a business institute. He was drafted into the army in 1849, and served through the Revolution in an artillery regi- ment. He went to Switzerland after leaving the army, and from there came to America, sailing from Havre to New York. He pro- ceeded to Chicago, thenee to St. Louis, and a year later to New Orleans, where he followed various pursuits until 1853. About the 5th of March of that year he left New Orleans and came to California by steamer via Panama, landing at San Francisco about the 1st of April.

He came to Sacramento and obtained employ- ment on the first water works of the eity, then building. The following year he and his brother Charles assumed charge of the Sierra Nevada Hotel, on Ninth and J streets. In 1857 they built the Ebner House, and ran it about six years, since which time they have given their principal attention to their extensive business, which extends throughout northern California and Nevada. Mr. Ebner was one of the organ- izers of the Sacramento Hussars, and was Cap- tain when the company entered the State militia during the Rebellion, serving eight years in that capacity. He is one of the long-time members of the Sacramento Turn-Verein. Mr. Ebner is an active and enterprising man, and has hosts of friends in Sacramento and throughont the country where he is known.

ON. JOHN WEIL .- Among the well- known Californians resident and . doing business in Sacramento, is the gentleman whose name this sketeh commences. He is a native of Germany, born in the Duehy of Nassau, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the small town of Hattersheim, on the 12th day of April, 1834. His parents were John Adam and Mar- garetha Weil, the father a miller. The mother died when the subject of this sketch was but two years of age. He received his education in the public schools between the ages of six and fourteen years, and after that was thrown upon his own resonrees. He obtained employ- ment as an errand-boy at Frankfort-on-the-Main, and was thus engaged for a year and a half. He then became a merchants' apprentice at May- ence, and was thus employed until nineteen years of age. In 1853 he camne to America, sailing from Liverpool on the clipper ship Hus- sar. He had engaged passage on a steamer, but it sank, and he came by the elipper in pref- erenee to waiting for another steamer. He ar- rived at New York in April after a voyage of twenty-seven days. Ile then proceeded to St

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

Louis, and thence to Belleville, Illinois, where he remained until the following year. In 1854 he came to California with his sister, taking a steamer to Havana, thence to Aspinwall, then across the Isthmus, and on the John L. Stephens to San Francisco, where he landed, and soon came to Sacramento. His brother, Mr. C. Weil, had come to Sacramento in 1852, and was in business on the corner of Eleventh and J streets, and had a vinegar factory on L street, and our subject was employed in the business. A year later he became a partner in the vinegar factory, and so continued until 1857, when he sold out and went to Monte Christo, Sierra County, to engage in mining. . He bought an interest in a mine, and a year later started a store. One day in the fall of 1859, while he was in Sacramento purchasing goods, he received word that his store had burned down. He went back at once, but as the mines were giving out and the town going down, he concluded to leave there. He went down to Downieville, and there carried on business until 1876. While there, in February, 1865, he was again burned ont, losing $15,000, with no insurance, and then offered to sell every- thing he had left for $1,000. But he persevered and prospered. In the fall of 1876 he closed ont his business there, and came to Sacramento to rest up. He had always been an active fac- tor in the organization of the Republican party, and in 1879, much to his surprise, he was nom- inated for the office of State Treasurer by the Republican convention of that year, and was chosen to that important position by the suf- frages of the citizens of the State at the ensu- ing election. At the expiration of his term of office in 1882, he lived retired from active pur- suits for some time, but in 1884 the real-estate firm of Weil & Johnson was formed. In 1886 he was instrumental in the organization of the Sacramento Glass & Crockery Company, and was elected its president. He became more and more interested in the business financially, and now gives his principal attention to the business, and is the heaviest stockholder. He has lately disposed of his interest in the firm of Weil &

Johnson. Mr. Weil was married in Sacramento (while a resident of Downieville) on the 6th of June, 1866, to Miss Anna M. Hickman. They have three children, all born in Downieville, viz .: Louis J., Robert and Marguerite. Mr. Weil has been a Republican since the organiza- tion of the party. In the fall of 1869 he was elected a supevisor of Sierra County, and served two terms of three years each. He declined a re-election, urged upon him by both Republi- cans and Democrats. He has taken an active interest in the public affairs in Sacramento, and is now one of the Board of Fire Commis- sioners. He has been offered the Republican nomination for mayor upon one occasion, feel- ing compelled to refuse it, when the convention took a recess to wait upon him with the tender of the first place on the city ticket. He is a member of Sierra Lodge, No. 24, I. O. O. F., and has passed its chairs, as also those of the encampment at Downieville, Blue Range, No. 8. He is a member of the Canton at Sacramento, and is a charter member of the Veteran Odd Fellows of Sacramento. He is a member of Mountain Shade Lodge, No. 18, Downieville, and holds membership in the Sacramento Turn- Verein. Mr. Weil is looked upon as one of the foremost citizens of the State, and in his public and private career has won the respect and con- fidence of the entire community.

P. McCREARY, deceased. Among those who made honored names for them- selves in the early business annals of Sacramento, none were more enterprising than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and a member of one of the pioneer families of that region. In fact his father, in conjunction with Seth Reed, did the first surveying in that county. When quite young W. P. McCreary left his native place, and went to Mansfield, Ohio, where he commenced a mercantile career, for which he had laid a solid foundation by a

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

good education, acquired at Rochester, New York. He afterward removed to Sandusky, Ohio, and was engaged in the forwarding busi- ness, and in grain operations. He was an ex- tensive vessel owner, and did his shipping on the lakes in his own vessel. The discovery of gold in California, with the consequent rush of emigration in that direction, cansed him to turn his attention to the Pacific slope, and finally, having forined his determination to cast his fortunes there, the year 1852 found him and his family among the passengers of one of the many steamers bound for California via Panama. Arriving in San Francisco he soon became in- terested in the flour business. He was in Sac- ramento in 1852, on business connected with a speculation in flour, and having been stricken with sickness, was a sufferer by the flood and fire. In 1854 he removed his family to Sacra- mento permanently, and having purchased the Phoenix inill property, set about improving it in such a way as to virtually amount to rebuilding, and on a far more extensive scale. He built up a fine reputation for the mills, and was enjoying a high degree of prosperity when the flood of 1862 came on, with such telling effect on the mill property as to almost totally destroy its value. The plant had been valued at between $40,000 and $50,000, but after the waters had receded he could not have obtained more than $2,500 for the property. He was not behind the other business men of Sacramento, however, in rebuilding and re-fitting. He continned in the mill .business until the time of his death, but in the latter days of his life was interested in other matters, having purchased the Shasta ditch. He was a Republican after the organi- zation of that party, but in the days of the old- line Whig party he was prominently identified with the organization, and was a delegate to the Baltimore convention of the Whig party, that nominated Henry Clay for President. He was killed in 1866, while a passenger on the steamer " Yosemite," by the explosion of her boilers. IIis wife, whose maiden name was Sophronia Hoadley, was a native of Ohio, and daughter of

Colonel Hoadley. She was of the famous Hoad- ley family of Connecticut and Ohio, and cousin of Governor Hoadley. She preceded her hus- band to the grave, her death having occurred in 1865. To Mr. and Mrs. W. P. McCreary three children were born; of these, one, Henry, is deceased. He studied law with Judge Clark, and was admitted to practice before the Su- preme Court of California. His education was of the highest order, having been commenced in Sacramento, and finished at Yale College, where he was the class orator in 1865. He was gener- ally conceded to have been one of the brightest young men in the history of the Sacramento bar, and his untimely taking off, which oc- curred in 1869, was a sad blow to his family, and to the profession. Of the two living chil- dren of W. P. McCreary, the older is Charles McCreary. He is a native of Sandusky, Ohio, born October 6, 1838, and was bnt twelve years of age when he came to California, and here he finished his education under private tutors. He went npon a ranch in Yolo County, which he conducted, in conjunction with his brother Byron, for four years. They returned at the expiration of that time, to Sacramento, and be- came associated with their father in the mill, succeeding to the business at his death. Mr. McCreary was married in this city, April 26, 1865, to Miss Leora, daughter of Judge Clark. They have two children: Robert Clark and Henry Clay. The younger living son of W. P. McCreary is also connected with the Sacra- mento mills; Byron McCreary is a native of Plymouth, Ohio, and was educated in the schools of his native State, at Sandusky and at Cincinnati. He did not accompany the family to California, but remained East, completing his education, so that when he came to the coast he joined the family in Sacramento. He and his brother Charles conducted the Yolo County farm until becoming interested in the Phoenix mill, and they have been partners since that time, with the exception of an unimportant in- terval. The McCreary Bros. are among the enterprising firms of Sacramento, and the pro-

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

duct of their Sacramento mill is one of the lead- ing articles in the export business of the city.

SIEBENTHALER, one af the well-known long-resident citizens of Sacramento, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born on Christmas day, 1829, his parents being P., Sr., and Elizabeth (Marshall) Siebenthaler. In 1830 the family came to America, locating at Cincin- nati, where the father followed the professiou of music. They afterward removed to Indiana, and settled in Highland Township, Franklin County. In 1844 the subject of this sketch left home, and, going to St. Louis, learned the cigar-making trade, in a factory on the corner of Second street and Washington avenue. In 1850, in company with John Gates (who had been to California in 1849), Mr. Siebenthaler started for the new El Dorado. They left St. Louis on the 15th of April, and proceeded to California via Fort Hall. They had rather a severe experience on the trip, running short of provisions, etc., but bringing up safely at Placerville on the 19th of August. Mr. Sieben- thaler halted at Placerville, and remained there until 1855, engaged in mining and butchering. He next went to Volcano, Amador County, where he conducted a boarding-house and en- gaged in quartz mining. On the 2d of March, 1870, a cave-in occurred in the mine in which he was at the time, and he was severely injured in the right arm, for which he came to Sacra. mento to receive medical assistance. He con- cluded to remain here, and started in business on the corner of Eighth and K streets, remov- ing to his present location on Twentieth and H streets, in 1881. At this location he has made the building improvements, which are of a handsome and substantial character. Mr. Sieben- thaler was married at Placerville, December 31, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Heddinger. They have two children, viz .: Jolın P. and Isabella (widow of W. R. Claypool, who died May 20, 1888. Mr. Siebenthaler is a member of Sacramento

Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Re- publican, and takes an active interest in public affairs. In 1867 he was elected to the office of recorder and anditor of Amador County, and served two years in that capacity.

OHN RUEDY, proprietor of the Fifth Street Hotel, is a native of Switzerland, born at the village of Gachlingen, Canton Schaff- hansen, on the 15th day of August, 1860, his parents being Andrew and Lizzie (Hepp) Ruedy. He was reared and spent his early boy- hood days at the place of his birth, and there received his education. At the early age of seventeen years he started out to make his own way in the world, leaving home and coming to America. In this country he located at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he worked at any em- ployment he could find, and was part of the time engaged as butcher, as cook, or as farmer, etc. He next went to St. Paul, Minnesota, thence to Chicago, from there to St. Louis, and then back to Ft. Wayne, Indiana. In 1882 he crossed the continent to California, locating at Oakland. In 1883 he came to Sacramento, and became engaged as clerk in the Mechanics' Ex- change Hotel, which position he held until Au- gust 15, 1885, when he became the proprietor of the Fifth Street Hotel. This hotel was started under the name of the Helvetia House, with John Korn as the first landlord, about 1876. In 1884 Frank Schuler became proprietor, and another story was added to the building. John Tackney came next as landlord, and he was fol- lowed by the present proprietor. Mr. Ruedy has ample accommodations for seventy-five peo- ple, and his house has a favorable reputation as a home hotel. Mr. Ruedy was married in this city on the 14th of August, 1885, to Miss Mary Kuechler, a native of Switzerland. They have two children, viz .: George and Chris. Mr. Ruedy is a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F. In closing this sketch of Mr. Ruedy it is well to state that his life offers a lesson to

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many young men of to-day. Having to battle with the world for himself from the time he was a mere boy, and that, too, in a strange country, having a language new to him, he is already in his fourth year of business for him- self, and is in a prosperous condition. IIe has made his real start right in Sacramento.

ACOB FREES .- Among the popular hotel men of Sacramento is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of Freimesheim, Germany, born February 4, 1845, his parents being Bernard and Barbara (Arm) Frees. His father was a master mason in the building trade, who died in 1858, but his mother lived until 1871. Jacob Frees was edu- cated at his native place from his sixth year until he was fourteen, and in 1859 came to America, sailing from Havre to New York. He remained in the latter city until 1863, then came to California via Panama. Landing at San Francisco, he came to Sacramento, and en- gaged at the butchering business with Charles Mahrt, on Sixth street, between J and K. He was so employed until 1866, when he went to Idaho, and was for the next year located at a place called Hoghain, near Idaho City. He then returned to Sacramento, and after working awhile at his old job, bought the California Market, on J street, between Eighth and Ninthi. He ran it a year, then went to Virginia City. After butchering there for two years, he re- turned to Sacramento and entered the employ of his father-in-law, J. B. Kohl, with whom he remained until February, 1874. Since that time he has been the proprietor of the Bevidere Hotel, which, though not a large house, enjoys an excellent reputation under his able manage- ment. Mr. Frees was married in this city to Miss Lena Kohl, a native of St. Louis, who came here with her parents in 1852. They have two children, viz .: John B. and Jacob. Mr. Frees is a member of Schiller Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Sacramento Lodge, A. O. U. W. He is

a Democrat politically. He is a man of high standing in the community, and enjoys a large circle of friends.

GABRIELLI, proprietor of the Garibaldi Hotel, Sacramento, is a native of Italy, born at Lucca, Tuscany, April 15, 1849, his parents being Joseph and Astunta (Barto- lanni) Gabrielli, the father, a farmer. He was reared and educated at his native place, and when a young man decided to come to America. He sailed from Laverno for New York on the ship "Leonet," and then came to California via Panama, arriving at San Francisco on the 12th of April, 1868. He came to Sacramento and soon obtained employment for himself on a ranch near Sutterville, where he worked about six years. He then sold out, bought property in Sacramento and built the Garibaldi House, which he has made a great success, and where he accommodates from twenty to fifty boarders. He was married in Sacramento September 11, 1882, to Miss Teresa Cardens, a native of Italy, born in the mountainous country near Genoa. They have five children, viz .: Astunta, Fran- cesco, Maria, Lena, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Gabrielli has been vice-president of the Society Bersaglieri, and is now its treasurer, as well as a prominent member of the military company. He is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., and of Owosso Tribe, No. 49, Red Men. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Gabrielli is deserving of much credit for the success he has made here. He landed at San Francisco with only $22, and he has risen to his present position by his own efforts.

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Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 916

Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 916