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 39

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 39

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history be reliable he numbers among his most ardent admirers and dearest friends men of all ereeds and countries, -. Protestant, Jew, Gentile, pagan and heathen; moneyed men and traveling tramps alike revering the Bishop for his quali- ties of head and heart."

JON. WILLIAM MONROE PETRIE has been a resident in this city for over thirty years. He was born at Warren, Herki- mer County, New York, November 24, 1833. In 1845 the family removed to Illinois, where his father located upon a farm in Lake County not far from Waukegan and no very great dis- tance from Chicago, which was then but a petty village. Mr. Petrie gained a thorough fundamental education in all the branches taught in the common schools of his neighborhood, but had early to push for himself and make his own way. When fourteen years of age he became a clerk in a dry-goods store in Wankegan. This was in 1849. He continued it steadily for ten years, or until the spring of 1859, when he came with his wife to California, reaching Sac- ramento, September 7. The journey was made via Salt Lake City, and that far in safety. Upon starting out in the morning, they had barely rounded the point when they met a band of Indians hastily driving stock before them and carrying plunder. They pushed out to "City of Rocks," where they were met by other emigrants and learned that the Indians they had seen had robbed a train of emigrants in a deep ravine in Sublette's eut-off to the north, and made their way for safety into the timber west of Salt Lake. This train was from Mis- souri, and its fate was one of the sad incidents in the history of the Indian troubles on the plains. This circumstance caused the trains on the road to join together, and when they finally erossed the dangerous portions of the way they formed a train no less than six miles long. The tragie incidents of these times were related to the writer by Mr. Petrie in a most vivid manner

and showed strikingly the dangers of those early days. Upon reaching Sacramento, Mr. Petrie shortly entered into business for himself, open- ing a clothing and furnishing store. In this business he has remained almost constantly ever since, the last ten years having been at his well- known stand, No. 622 J street. He is the owner of the property, which presents upon the lower floor an unusally well stocked and furnished store, and on the upper floor the resi- denee of Mr. Petrie and family, an improvement consummated during the past season. In 1883 he was appointed one of the school directors of this city to fill an unexpired term, and at the two following elections was chosen by the peo- ple for the same position. In the fall of 1888 he was brought forward by his party as their candidate in the Eighteenthi District for the State Legislature. He was elected by a major- ity of over 700, being well in advance of the tieket and displaying fully the confidence re- posed in him and his great personal popularity. Of course it goes without saying that he is a Republican, being stauneh and unreserved in his views, yet broad and liberal. Since he has been a member of the House, Mr. Petrie has taken a prominent part in the praetieal and profitable legislation of the session. He is a member of the Committees on Education, Retrenchment, and Water Rights and Drainage, all of great im- portance. He was prominent in securing an appro- priation of funds for the grading and improve- ment of the Capitol Park and Fifteenth street, in this city, something that has long been needed, and also in several other important measures. Mr. Petrie is a member in very high stand- ing of the Masonic order, having filled all of the subordinate offices and many of the most ele- vated; has been a prominent delegate to grand lodges. He is Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of California, having filled the high post of Grand Commander in 1884. He was also Grand Master of the Grand Conn- eil of Royal and Select Masters in 1878. In 1882 he was Grand IIigh Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; and is a mem-

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ber of the Thirty-third Degree Scottish Rites, Southern Jurisdiction. Of course he has passed all chairs in subordinate lodges. In 1880 at Chicago, again in 1883 at San Francisco, 1886 at St. Louis, and in October, 1889, at Washington, Mr. Petrie attended the National Conlaves of the order. Mr. Petrie was mar- ried in 1855 to Miss A. L. Leigh, who is a native of Steuben County, New York. They have but one daughter, born in California.

ON. FINDLEY R. DRAY, State Senator, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1833. His father, Moses Dray, was a carpenter and millwright, and having lost his health, came overland to Cali- fornia in 1850, accompanied by his son, Findley R., the subject of this sketch, then a youth of seventeen years, who has from that time made this "Golden State" his home, although his father returned in 1853, and has since died. Hangtown (now Placerville) was the first point struck, July 17, where for a little time mining was carried on. From there he went to Dry- town, in Amador County, and in September of the same year came to Sacramento. He next went to Laporte, Sierra County, in the Rabbit Creek mines, being one of the first to go to that camp, and finding snow tully three feet deep to welcome him .. In 1852 he returned to this city, and after remaining a short time went in the fall of 1852 to the mines at Shasta. The next spring he returned again to Sacramento, and found it under water. For abont twelve inonths he was employed in a store carried on by Joseph Pratt, at MeCourtney's Crossing, on Bear River, and afterwards by McCourtney. He continued this until 1855, when he came down and went to farming about five miles below this city. In 1858 he returned again and en- gaged in clerking for William Hendrie. In 1863 he went to the Reese River mines, Nevada, but in the fall of that year again came back, and accepted a position in the sheriff's office under

the late James McClatchy, who had just been elected to that position. After the close of Mr. McClatchy's term he was public administrator one term, and then county assessor, a position which he held to the complete satisfaction of all for a period of no less than eight years. Next he was appointed by Judge Clark as a supervisor to complete the unexpired term of H. O. Sey- mour, deceased. After this he went into the real estate and insurance business, continuing this successfully until, in 1875, he became con- nected with the Sacramento Bank. From that time until the present he has been a director, and as surveyor has had charge of all the outside business of the bank in connection with its loans, etc. It is not saying too much to state that his indefatigable zeal and watchfulness has aided materially in advancing the welfare and pros- perity of that leading financial institution of this city. Two years ago he was elected by the votes of the people to represent this city and county in the State Senate, and again this year (1888) was re-elected for another term, so highly were his efforts in behalf of this section appreciated. Mr. Dray was married January 1, 1861, to Miss Mary F. Orrick. Eight children have been born to them, of whom seven are still living. Their names are as follows: Laura E., now the wife of George H. Perry, Esq., of San Francisco; Carrie E., now the wife of W. O. Terrill, Esq., also of San Francisco; Mary F., since deceased; Annie B .; Alice M .; Arthur F .; Frank R., and Bruce L., the latter five being all at home.

AON. H. O. BEATTY, Sacramento, has been a resident here since 1852, with the ex- ception of one short period. He was born in Kentucky, May 31, 1812; resided many years in Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar; and, arriving in Sacramento in February, 1852, immediately began the practice of his profession. In 1863 he moved to Virginia City, Nevada, where he was soon elected Chief

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Justice of the State Supreme Court, and his son, W. H., chosen at the same election to be the District Judge of that State. The latter is now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of of the State of California. At the end of his term the former returned to Sacramento, where he has been prominently identified with its public interests. In 1872 he prepared a bill, which was passed by the Legislature, estab- lishing the Board of Funded Debt Commis- sioners-of which he has been a member from the first-whose duty is to aid in the relief of the city of Sacramento from its enormous debt. They have collected $212,000, with which they have bought up about $1,400,000 of the out- standing obligations, leaving only about $1,- 700,000 of indebtedness, including coupons not yet dne. At the present rate the debt will be entirely extingnished in ten years. Judge Beatty was also director and manager of the smelting works from 1874 to 1876, when they were discontinued. He has also owned a vast amount of city property. He was married in Ohio, in 1836, to Miss Runyon. Their chil- dren are: W. H., whose sketch appears else- where; and Mesdames Judge Denson and Willis, in Sacramento, and Mrs. George E. Bates, in San Francisco.

H. CUMMINGS, one of the pioneers of California, and an honored citizen of Sacramento, is a native of Massachusetts, born in Palmer, Hampshire County, on the 15th of May, 1823. His father, Benjamin Cummings, was also a native of Massachusetts. He was a farmer until middle life, and after- ward a manufacturer of cloth. The Cummings family is an old one in the old Bay State, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch hav- ing been a Revolutionary soldier, and at the surrender of Burgoyne. The paternal great- grandfather was also a native of that State. The inother of our subject, whose maiden name was Lucy Paige, was also born in Massachusetts.

C. H. Cummings was reared on his father's farm to the age of nineteen years, then went to Boston to take a situation in a mercantile estab- lishment. He afterward went into business at Charlestown, and was so engaged there and at Cambridge until the fall of 1849. On the 12th of November of that year he sailed from New- buryport, on the bark Domingo (Captain Bray), bound for California. The vessel put into port twice on the voyage, once at St. Catherines, where she was in harbor eight days, and again at Juan Fernandez, where she stopped for three days. The vessel landed at San Francisco on the 7th of April, 1850. Mr. Cummings re- mained in the city until October, then came to Sacramento, where he has resided ever since. He was acquainted with Mr. Mace, of the firm of Mace, Loveland & Co., who were then in the wholesale grocery trade on J street, between Second and Third, and he soon made an en- gagement with the firm. He remained with them until they discontinned business, and then went with Meeker & Co., who were doing busi- ness at the present site of Hammer's drug store, Fourth and K. He was employed by them from 1853 until 1856, and then became a member of the firm, the membership of which was thereafter David Meeker, A. W. Bell and C. H. Cummings. The firm closed out by limi- tation March 1, 1858, and then Mr. Cummings went with the firm of Stanford Bros. & Meeker, composed of Josiah and Leland Stanford and David Meeker. Within a year thereafter Mr. Meeker sold out his interest in the business, but the firm continued until the election of Le- land Stanford as governor in 1861. After his in- anguration, Mr. Cummings was appointed stamp clerk in the Secretary of State's office, the date being January 10, 1862. Upon the death of the then Secretary of State W. H. Weeks, A. H. Tuttle took the office, and Mr. Cummings became Deputy Secretary of State. He held this position until the election of B. B. Redding as Secretary of State, and for three months thereafter he was clerk in the office. He was then in the Sacramento postoffice a year and a

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half, and in August, 1865, became cashier of the Sacramento & Placerville Railroad. This office he held until the consolidation of that railroad with the Central Pacific system, and since then he has been assistant paymaster of the Central Pacific. He has been secretary and treasurer of the Capitol Gas Company since 1876. Mr. Cummings was married in Massa- chusetts to Miss Mary Ann Cole, a native of Maine, and daughter of Hiram and Lois (Young) Cole, both of whose parents were born in the State of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have had three children, of whom one, Charles Au- gustus, died in September, 1852. Those living are: Quincy Cole, who was born at East Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, in 1849, and is now with the Central Pacific Railroad at San Francisco; and Henry A., who was born in Sacramento in May, 1854, and is in the office of the treasurer of the Central Pacific at San Francisco. Mr. Cummings is an honorary member of the Sac- ramento Society, California Pioncers. He served four years as a member of the Board of Educa- tion, having been elected in 1872. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Cummings has been identified with Sacramento since her early days, and has always ranked among her best citizens.

JON. L. L. LEWIS was born in Genesee County, New York, in 1831, about thirty miles from Buffalo, although the family soon afterward removed to Arcade, in Wyoming County, adjoining. His father was a farmer, and it was from the rongh but beneficial train- ing that falls to the lot of a farmer's son that Mr. Lewis has drawn the diligent and indepen- dent elements in his character that have helped to make him so successful in after life. In 1844 the family removed to Belvidere, Illinois, and thence in 1848 Mr. Lewis went to Iowa, where his father, being still alive, at an ad- vanced age, still resides. From here Mr. Lewis returned to Arcade to learn his trade as a tin- smith and plumber, and there he worked at it

until in 1859 he came to California via Pana- ma, arriving in this city in the fall. He was preceded here by his brother, Mr. S. G. Lewis, now a leading frnit-grower and ranchman of Nevada County, and formerly a journalist of standing and success, who started the Foot-Hill Tidings of Grass Valley, and has occupied many prominent positions. As soon as he reached Sacramento, Mr. L. L. Lewis took a position in the same establishment of which he is now the head and sole proprietor, acting first as a tinner, and gradually working himself up until in 1872 he became proprietor, and extend- ing the business until it is now the chief house in its line in this portion of the State. Mr. Lewis also became interested in mining proper- ties in the foot-hills and elsewhere, engaging quite extensively in this business and spending a considerable portion of his time there. He was there during the period of the war of the Rebellion, and as he was a firm Union man, he had most interesting experiences. However, in 1872 he finally came down from the mines, and has since been actively engaged in business here. Among the enterprises with which the name of Mr. Lewis has been identified should be mentioned at some length the building and loan societies of this city. He is now the presi- dent of the Occidental Building and Loaning Association, and a director of the Union Build- ing and Loaning Association. Two series of shares issued by these companies have already been wound up, and there are ten series in all, a showing of great success and a vast benefit to the city in the way of assisting people to ob- tain homes. In October, 1887, Mr. Lewis be- gan to move, in connection with others, in the matter of electric street railroads. The result of the action taken is the successful completion of a line that runs from the depot to J street, and thence to the Oak l'ark addition to Sacra- mento, which lies to the southeast, and which comprises 300 acres of the highest ground ad- joining the city, and has anexceptionable drain- age, the best of water, etc. As a natural consequence it is attracting the attention of

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home-seekers and investors, and is being rapidly disposed of, now that it has ready communica- tion with the city by the electric road. The franchise of this road comprises some twelve iniles in the city, of which four miles are built. The system adopted is that of " storage," and was proving an admirable success, with the ex- ception of one feature of the machinery, the cars being trim, handsome and easily handled. Until the above difficulty can be overcome, the company will use horse power. This road has already given a marked impetus to the exten- sion of the city, and has proven a great boon to the citizens. The gentlemen associated with Mr. Lewis in this matter are Messrs. E. K. Alsip, Solomon Runyon and Robert T. Devlin, of this city, and Mr. W. J. Landers, of San Francisco. Mr. Lewis is also a director of the Board of Trade of this city, one of the most efficient bodies of its kind in the State, and a director and charter member of the Sacramento Improvement Association, which has done so good work for the city. His standing in the community is the highest, and he commands the respect, confidence and esteein of every one. Mr. Lewis was married in 1866 to Miss Lerisa Corriger, of Sonoma, and they have three chil- dren, whose names are Mabel, Edna and Alice.

ON. GEORGE C. MCMULLEN, who owes more to the capital embraced in a fine physical organization and a well-poised brain than to the inherited wealth of a line of ancient ancestors, was born in Perry County, Ohio, January 27, 1838, his father being a prosperons farmer in that section. In 1855 his parents removed to Missouri and thence, two years later, set out for California, making the trip by ox teams without serious mishap. Mr. McMullen resided first in Solano County, until the fall of 1874, when he came to Sacramento County and purchased a fine ranch of 240 acres known as " Lizzie's Vineyard," situated within a short distance of Brighton, which he con- 17

ducted for a number of years and brought to a high state of perfection. Of late Mr. MeMnl- len has been trading and dealing extensively in land, and devoting himself to the breeding and raising of the finer grades of horses and stock. Ile at present farms a snug place of some seventy- six acres near Brighton, and situated about five miles east of the city For four years, begin- ning in 1884, Mr. McMullen represented the Fourth Supervisors' District of this county, and at the election of November, 1888, was chosen to the most responsible position of sheriff of the county ; an office he is peculiarly well fitted to fill efficiently on account of his wide acquaint- ance in this section, his quick and ready judg- inent, his unhesitating determination. The Board of Supervisors, of which he was a mem- ber, has made an honorable record for itself in the great amount of public improvements it has accomplished, in the way of laying out and improving roads, the building of bridges, etc., etc.,-more than was effected in the twenty years previously; and what is still more credit- able, the rate of taxation has been at the same time materially lowered. Mr. McMullen is a Republican of decided convictions. For many years he has been an active Patron of Hus- bandry. Mr. McMullen was married Septem- ber 25, 1859, to Miss Rhoda E. White. They have five children: George Ebner, Irvine H., Lida A., Winfield E., and Edith, the youngest, all residing at home.

HARLES MEALAND, M. D. Although a resident in this city but a comparatively short time, having arrived in Sacramento but a little over three years ago, Dr. Mealand presents a capital instance of what may be ac- complished by skill and attention to business, as he has already stepped well to the front in his profession and has won a practice of most re- spectable dimensions. Dr. Mealand is a native of Coventry, Warwickshire, England, where he was born February 3, 1846. In his native town

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he received a thorough scholastic training and a fitting for the general business of life, though without proceeding to the study of a profession. Upon arriving at his majority in 1867, he de- termined to come to America, making his way directly to the State of Illinois. Having always had a taste for the study of medicine, he began at once to prepare himself for the duties of a phy- sician, graduating at Bennett Medical College, Chicago, and locating at Elgin, Illinois, where he remained until he decided in 1886 to come to this State. As has already been stated, he has built up a good practice, having had excellent success in its course. Dr. Mealand is an active member of the Baptist Church, holding a place upon the excentive committee of the Sacramento Bap- tist Union, and is an enthusiastic worker in the Sabbath-school. He has been deeply interested in both church and Sunday-school matters since he was seventeen years of age. During his residence of twenty years in Elgin, he was always busily employed and for several years acted as superintendent and chorister of the Sunday-school in connection with the Baptist Church there. He also acted as superintendent here in the Ninth Street Church, of which he is a member until the calls of a laborions pro- fession compelled him to give it up. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, of the I. O. O. F., and of the Sons of St. George, having acted for some time as examining physician for Benbow Lodge of the latter body for some time, as also of the Knights of Honor. He possesses a snug ranch of twenty-four acres at Loomis, not far above this city, which is set out in pear, apricot, cherry, peach and other fruit trees. He also owns a section of timber land near Visalia in this State. Dr. Mealand was married September 9, 1866, in Coventry, . England, to Miss Jane Baxter of that place. They have four children, two sons and two daughters, whose names are as follows: Charles Baxter, Clarence Herman, Grace Elizabeth and Gertrude Beatrice. His mother is still alive at the good old age of seventy-nine, and still resides at Coventry. Dr. Mealand has the peculiar for-

tune to be a seventh son, a fact that perhaps contributes to his great success as a physician. He has one brother in the sheep business in Australia; another an artist in Massachusetts, and a third retired from active business in England.

RANKLIN G. FAY, M. D., who is ranked as one of the most successful of our younger physicians, has been a resident of this city for the past three years, during which time he has gained an enviable reputation for skill and success in his practice. He was born in Elgin, Illinois, March 22,1865. He received a thorough preliminary education in the schools of his native place, graduating at the Elgin Academy in 1881. He immediately began the study of medicine at Bennett Medical College, Chicago, graduating there in March, 1886, having taking the Eclectic course, and fitting himself for the best practical work by choosing the best methods of all schools . of physicians. Immediately upon graduation, Dr. Fay came to Sacramento, and has had good success from the first. His office is central, being located at No. 627 J street, being tlie northwest corner of Seventh and J streets, and his residence is at No. 1714 M street, in the heart of the residence portion. He is an active member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, being court surgeon of courts Sacramento, Capital and Sutter, of that order.

ON. ADD. C. HINKSON was born De- cember 19, 1837, in Potosi, Washington County, Missouri. The family removed to this State in 1852, arriving in Sacramento September 2, immediately after the occurrence of one of the disastrous fires that swept the city in the early days. Shortly afterward they went to Feather River, where young Hinkson en- gaged in mining. Later he went to Amador County, and followed several vocations, becom-

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ing one of the best known and most popular inen of the county. In 1865 he was elected to the position of auditor and recorder of the county, holding the office for two years. He was then elected county clerk, continuing to occupy that post until in the early part of 1870, when he removed to this city. During the lat- ter part of his last term as county clerk of Amador County he had prosecuted the diligent study of law, and was admitted to practice in January, 1870. Ile immediately opened an office here in partnership with Judge Armstrong, now Superior Judge of this county. Mr. Hink- son has filled a large place in the history of the public schools of this city at a period of critical importance. He was at one time urged by his friends to accept the nomination for superin -. tendent of schools, but having an agreement with his partner, Judge Armstrong, not to enter into politics, he declined. The people pressed the matter, and finally persuaded Judge Arın- strong to urge it also, when Mr. Hinkson con- sented and was elected by a large majority, although on the Democratic ticket, and the city was decidedly Republican. This was in 1873. In 1875 and in 1877 he was elected again, thus serving in all three terms. After that he posi- tively refused the position again, as he desired to devote his attention to private business. At this time feeling ran very strongly npon the subject of the admission of colored children to the public schools. The law, as it stood, for- bade the admixture, but notwithstanding this fact the Board of Education allowed their en- trance. The sentiment of the people was de- cidedly opposed to this, and hence when Mr. Hinkson carried out the law he was warmly upheld by them. There was a very troubled state of affairs for a time, the Board of Educa- tion pulling illegally for an indefensible idea, while Mr. Hinkson, as superintendent, firmly acted according to the law. Suffice it to say, that in the end he won his side completely, and even his bitterest opponents at the time admit- ted the correctness of his actions, and became his warmest teachers. At the time of the oc-

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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