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 48

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 48

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SUTER, manufacturer, Sacramento, is a native of Switzerland, born in Canton Aargan on the 15th of Angust, 1845, his parents being Caspar and Susannah Suter, the father a foreman in a paper mill. He was reared and educated at his native place, and when seventeen years of age went to Zurich, and there learned the cabinet-maker's trade in Kuhn's large establishment. In 1865 he came to the United States, sailing from Bremen in June, on the sailing vessel Doretta, and landing at New York after a voyage of forty-seven days. A week or so later he proceeded to St. Louis, where he worked at his trade three years. He then went to Kansas City, where he worked one ycar mannfacturing show-cases; and then for seven years he conducted a furniture store and

a furniture and coffin factory at Olathe, Kansas. In February, 1876, he came ont to California, and, locating at Sacramento, opened a cabinet shop across the street from the Record- Union office. A couple months later he removed to the corner of Fifth and L streets, where he put in machinery, and commenced the manufacture of cabinet work, Six months later he started a shop at the Telegraph Mill, which he operated for about a year, then removed again to Fifth and L streets. About five months later the mill burned down, and he lost nearly $400. He next started up on the corner of Ninth and K streets, but a year and a half later sold out and took charge of the furniture factory of Camp- bell, Spanier & Bartless, on U street, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, in the interests of the creditors. Mr. Suter looked the matter over and told the creditors that if they would give him a show to straighten things out, he would pay their claims dollar for dollar. In two years' time he had paid off every dollar of indebtedness, with interest. About that time he sold ont there, and commenced again in a little place across the street from his present office, at Thirteenth and J. At that time he employed two men. Since that time he has been constantly spreading out and enlarging his quarters, and employs nineteen men, with plenty of business for ten more if he had the room. He employs only experienced workmen, and gives his own personal supervision to all work turned ont of his shops. He does all kind of furniture and variety work, and his goods are engaged much faster than he can turn them ont. He has built up an immense summer trade on screens for windows and doors. Among the places to which he ships are: Carson, Nevada, Plymonth, Folsom, Red Bluff, Chico, Willows, Stockton, Nevada City, Auburn, Anderson (Shasta City), and many others. Mr. Suter was married at St. Louis, October 10, 1871, to Miss Sophia Bollinger, a native of Missouri. They have two children, viz .: Oscar and Ida. Mr. Suter is a member of the K. of H. His mother died when he was bnt eleven years old,

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but his father is still living, leading a retired life, at the age of seventy three years. Mr. Suter is one of the most active, pushing men of Sacramento. He has been unusually successful in business, and his success has been won by indefatigable energy and the closest attention to business, coupled with the exercise of fair and honest methods in all matters, large or small.

OHN HAUB, of Sacramento, has been a resident of the Pacific Coast since 1857, and commenced business in the city in 1885. He is a native of Germany, born at Niederweiscl, Hesse- Darmstadt, on the 8th day of September, 1845; his parents being Philip and Catharine Hanb. His father, who was foreman in a large wholesale house, died in 1850. John Haub spent his early boyhood days at his native place, and there attended school several years. In 1857, in company with his mother and his brother George, he came to the United States, landing at New York, and thence proceeding by steamer, via Panama, to San Francisco. A month later they went to Marys- ville, when the oldest boy of the family, Conrad, was cook at the St. Nicholas Hotel. John Haub finished his education at Marysville. In 1860 the family removed to Gold Hill, Nevada, and there the mother died later, in the year 1870. The subject of this sketch remained with his brother Conrad (who still keeps hotel at Gold Hill), until 1865, when he went to Vir- ginia City, and engaged with Thomas Taylor & Co., wholesale liquor dealers, with whom he re- mained until 1874. He then embarked in the grocery business, and conducted a store for four years. For the two years preceding 1880 he was watchman for the Bullion Mining Con- pany. In 1880 he went to White Plains, Nevada, where he was engaged in boring ar- tesian wells for the Central Pacific Railroad Company for four years. After that he con- ducted the Golden Gate restaurant, at No. 267 Third street, abont cleven months, then

sold out on account of sickness and came to Sacramento. In 1885 he bought out the restaurant business of Messrs. H. Fisher & Co., and removed to his present location, No. 612 J street, in February, 1888. He has greatly in- creased the scope of his business since starting, and now, besides a first-class restaurant, he has well equipped confectionery, ice cream and fancy bakery departments, with a large and growing trade. Mr. Haub was married in Nevada, in 1868, to Miss Catharine Eger, a native of Ger- many. They have three children, viz .: John G., W. C. and Lizzie Augusta. Mr. Hanb is a member of Tehama Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M , of Capitol Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F., Sac- ramento; of Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 5, K. of P., San Francisco; of Sacramento Turn- Verein, and a charter member of Nevada Lodge, No. 3020, K. of II., Reno, Nevada. Mr. Haub is a man of excellent business qualifications, and is making a gratifying success of his enterprise in this city.

OHN J. BAUER, water tax collector, Saera- mento, is a native of Alsace, born four miles from Bellefort, on the 8th day of August, 1837, his parents being Michael and Maria (Weir) Bauer. In 1846 the family came to the United States, and after six months in Texas, lo- cated at St. Louis, Missouri, where both parents lived until they died. The father died July 5, 1864, the mother in 1858. John J. Bauer, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated at St. Louis, receiving also a first-elass musical training. In 1854 he came to California with· an older brother, Francis X., who had been in San Francisco, in 1852, engaged at his profes- sion, that of a musician. They went down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, and from there went on the steamner United States to As- pinwall, crossing the Isthmus by rail and on mule back. From Panama to San Francisco they proceeded on the steamer John L. Stephens, landing on the 2d of April, 1854. Mr. Bauer

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obtained a situation as a copying clerk for a lawyer named Fowler, on Montgomery street, and after two months' work got a $50 " sing" in payment. On the 12th of July he came to Sac- ramento, and in partnership with Jacob and George IIerget, engaged in fishing on the river until 1859. In the fall of that year he became a partner with J. T. Mier, in the grocery busi- ness, starting a store on Front street, between I and J. They were in partnership until 1872, after which Mr. Baner conducted the business alone for one year, when he sold ont to Fred Uhl, and remained out of business for a year on account of ill health. In the fall of 1873 he ran for supervisor on the Independent ticket, and was elected serving one year, he drawing the short term. In the fall of 1876 he went to Carson on a musical trip with Church, Jones and Beebe, remaining five months. In the fall of 1877 he was again elected supervisor, on the Republican ticket, serving three years, or until the 1st of January, 1881. He next went into the employ of Louis Schloss & Co., in the hide and pelt business, with the intention of familiar- izing himself with the business, so as to become a commercial buyer. He worked up in the business from the lowest grade, and on the 1st of May, 1882, he went on the road as purchasing agent for the firm, throughout California. He remained with the firm until September, 1884, when they closed their honse in this city. In connection with E. Ilammond, he embarked in the same business, and they did business under the firm name of E. IIammond & Co., until December, 1886, when they withdrew from the trade. Mr. Bauer was appointed City Water Works Collector, and has held that position since April 1, 1887. Mr. Bauer was married in this city on the 17th of February, 1862, to Miss Jane France, a native of Lancashire, Eng- land. They have six children, viz: Alice Maria, Charles E., Annie F., Emile F., Jennie E. and John J., Jr. Mr. Baner is a member of Sacra- inento Lodge, I. O. O. F. (in which he has passed the chairs), of the Veteran Odd Fellows, and of Union Lodge, A. O. U. W. In the days of the

volunteer fire department, he was a member of Neptune Hose Company five years, served as its secretary four years and a half, acted as a member of the board of delegates, and is now an exempt fireman. Mr. Baner has always taken an active part in politics, and is a pushing, influential man, with a very large circle of friends.

OSEPH BAUQUIER, one of the old-time Californians, residing in Sacramento, is a native of France, born in the Department of Haut-Saone, March 5, 1814, his parents being Antoine and Catharine (Vivier) Banquier, the father a farmer. He was reared at his native place, and in 1832 came to America, sailing from IIavre to New Orleans on the ship Con- cordiere, and landing at the last named city on the 18th of July. He obtained a situation driving a cart for the mayor of the city, but in fourteen months went back to France on the French vessel Josephine Bordeaux. After two months in France he started on his return for New Orleans, and arrived there in September. He engaged as a fireman on a steamboat to St. Louis, and soon afterward went to St. Clair County, Illinois, where he was engaged in the coal business and in farming, having three fine farms there. In 1853 he crossed the plains to California, with three teams of cattle, and three teams of horses. He outfitted at St. Louis, and proceeded via Fort Leavenworth, Fort Kearney, Fort Laramie and Sublette's cut-off. Ile located at Sacramento, and built where he now resides. He made five trips back to the East by water, and each time returned to California overland, and every time by way of St. Joseph except the first. Three times he brought cattle, and three times horses. He never had more than fifteen men with him, yet never had any trouble with the Indians or stock-thieves, and never lost any- thing to speak of in crossing the plains except $2,500 worth of fine horses. Ile farmed about twelve miles from the city a short time after

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coming here, but most of the time has followed contracting, grading, etc. He has considerable land outside the city, besides retaining a quarter ot a block where he lives, and has a horse ranch outside of . Sacramento. Mr. Banquier was married in St. Clair County, Illinois, on the 1st of Angust, 1840, to Miss Catharine Granjean, who was born in the same neighborhood that he was. She died on the 15th of December, 1888, aged seventy-one years and six months. By this marriage there are four children, viz .: Peter, Frank (who resides at Roseville), Mary (wife of H. D. Rode, merchant), and Joseph, Jr., who was born in Sacramento, June 18, 1857, while Mr. Bauquier was crossing the plains. Mr. Banquier is a member of Tehama Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which he joined in 1865, and of the Chapter, Council and Commandery. He is a Democrat politically. Mr. Bauquier practically knows every foot of the route across the plains, having gone over it six times before the days of railroads. He came near coming out when General Sutter came and also with Fremont. He has had a life full of incident, and his fund of reminiscences and experience is inexhanstible. He was living at his residence in Sacramento, when the great flood of December, 1861, came on. He had just taken sixty-two head of good horses (brought out from Cincinnati) out to his ranch, and when he returned he found the water up to the roof of the one-story part of the house, while the family was in the second-story. He had an awful time getting into his house, but finally did so. The family paid $10 to be taken in a boat to " Whisky Hill."

OPPENHEIM, one of the well-known retired business men at Sacramento, is a native of Prussia, born at Wollstein, June 20, 1822, his parents being E. and P. Oppenheim, his father a merchant in the gen- eral trade. Ile was reared at his native place, and between the age of six and fourteen years attended the public schools, after that receiving

instruction at private schools. In 1840 he ac- companied a brother to England, and from there, in company with another brother, came to New York. After a short time there, they proceeded southward to Charleston, South Carolina, in a brig. They were traveling for pleasure, and from Charleston proceeded to Augusta and Sa- vannah, Georgia, having their private convey- ance in which to make their interesting trip across the mountains. They crossed the Tennes - seee River and traveled across the Raccoon and Lookout Mountains, to Columbus, Georgia, and from there went to Nashville, where they sold the horse and buggy, and took a steamer for St. Louis. In March, 1847, Mr. Oppenheim went back to Europe, but in August of the ·same year, returned to the United States. He went to Kentucky and engaged in business at Uniontown, Union County. On Tuesday, Jan- mary 16, 1849, at Morganfield, six miles from Uniontown, he was married to Miss Louisa Gaugh, a native of Kentucky and a represent- ative of one of the old southern families. In 1851, Mr. Oppenheim went to New York (having decided to go to California) and there took pas. sage on the steamer Ohio. He crossed the Istli- mus to Panama, and, resuming his sea voyage on the steamer Tennessee, landed at San Francisco, having left New York on the 5th of March. He came at once to Sacramento and opened a general merchandise store at No. 6, J Street, where W. R. Strong & Co. now are. The building was then a frame shanty, and was leased by its owner, Sam Brannan, through his agent, a Mr. Wetzel. The building was destroyed in the big fire of 1852, and as Mr. Oppenheim's business demanded better accommodations than the old building afforded, Mr. Brannan erected for him a brick structure, 25 x60 feet in ground area. Mr. Oppenheim took a lease of the build- ing for four years at 8400 per month, while his stock consisted of about $2,100 worth of goods. Rents soon came down generally, and though Mr. Oppenheim paid $400 the first year, Mr. Wetzel began coming down $25 at a tinie until the price was only $200 a month. Finally after

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he had occupied the place three years, Mr. Op- penheim told Mr. Wetzel that if he did not place the rent at $100 he would move when his lease ran out, and Mr. Wetzel came to his terms. In 1859 he went to New York for the purpose of importing goods, and returning, his customers being uptown, he removed to where Mr. Petrie is now, on J street, between Sixth and Seventh, and remained in business there until September, 1865, when he closed out. Party feeling was running high at that time, and as he was a Democrat and his customers Republican, they boycotted him, which caused him to go out of business. He advertised that what goods were not sold by Saturday night would be disposed of at auction in San Francisco, and by the close of the appointed day everything he had in the store was closed out excepting 100 dozen belts. Mr. Oppenheim commenced the laying of the foundation of his large residence on the first Friday in April, 1866, and moved into the house on the 6th of December. He has, since his retirement from business made several trips to Enrope. Mr. and Mrs. Oppenheim have three children, viz .: their oldest son, Philip, was edu- cated in Sacramento, and at a business college at San Francisco, and is now secretary of the Pacific Cable Construction Company, of San Francisco. He was married in this city, June 24, 1871, to Miss Mary Cantrell of this county. E. Oppenheim, the younger son, lives a half- mile above Florin. He married Miss Laugen- baugh, daughter of John Langenbangh. Califor- nia, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oppen- heim, was born in this city. She is the wife of J. M. Thompson, president of the Cable Com- pany, at Seattle.

ACOB SCHMITT, who is in business in Sacramento, on H street, opposite the Driving Park, is a native of Prussia, born at Daubach, June 12, 1844. He was reared to farm life and received his education between the ages of six and fourteen years. In 1866 he

came to the United States, sailing from Ham- burg and landing at New York. He was there and at Williamsburgh and Brooklyn until 1868, when he came to California, leaving New York March 20, on the steamer Nebraska and coming by the way of Panama. He landed at San Francisco April 13, 1868. He went to San Jose and from there came to Sacramento, and obtained employment across the river in Sacra- mento County. He afterward went to Butte County where he worked for three years, and then came to Sacramento. In 1873 he started in the saloon business on K street, between Seventh and Eighth. where he built up a large trade. In 1885 he erected his handsome build- ing at 2012 HI street, and moved into it on the 14th of July. He is a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F. Mr. Schmitt has prospered since coming to Sacramento, and has a good patronage and many friends.

OLAN & MIDDLEMASS, wholesale and retail grocers, northwest corner of Seventh and N streets, Sacramento. This firm commenced business March 17, 1884, succeed- ing Leon Salomon, and is composed of John H. Dolan and Joseph H. Middlemass. In the few years elapsing since their commencement here, they have built up a business which has already placed them among the principal firms of Sa- cramento, and which is steadily increasing in volume. Their wagons deliver goods in all parts of the city, and their outside trade with country towns has become an important fea- ture of this business. John H. Dolan, of this firm, is a native of Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, born April 20, 1857, his parents being Michael and Mary (Dooley) Do- lan. His early boyhood days were passed at his native village, and in 1869 he accompanied his father to California, locating in Sacramento. He obtained employment at the Central Pacific Rail- road shops, carrying messages for E. F. Perkins, then superintendent of the motive power and

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machinery. After two years there he went to Terrace, Utah, and engaged in the machinist's trade in the shops there, continuing for two years. He then went back to Vermont and obtained employment under Sessions, in the shops of the Vermont Central Railroad at St. Albans. After two years there he again eom- menced attendance at the schools, this time near Moretown, Vermont, where his father had purchased a farm. After spending a year and a half at school he went to Salem, Massachu- setts, and engaged as clerk in the grocery store of John Hurley, a relative by marriage. Two years later he returned to Sacramento, and went into the foundry of the Central Pacific shops under Allen, foreman, and was engaged there three years as core-maker. He then went to Wads- worth, Nevada, and engaged in braking on the Central Pacific under Frank Free. Three years later he was promoted conductor, and served in that capacity for three years on the Truckee Division. He then came to Sacramento to en- gage in business. Mr. Dolan was married in this city May 30, 1881, to Miss Maria Foizey, daugh . ter of Richard Foizey, foreman of the Central Pa- cific tank department. Mr. Dolan is a member of Union Lodge, A. O. U. W., having joined the order at Truckee. He also belongs to Califor- nia Lodge, K. of H., and to Capital City Grove, No. 66, A. O. D., of which he was secretary two years. Mr. Dolan is a popular man, genial and courteous in his manners, and is an active, push- ing man of business, who knows no such word as " fail."

OSEPH II. MIDDLEMASS, of the firm of Dolan & Middlemass, was born in Nova Scotia, at Pope's Harbor, near the city of Halifax, February 12, 1853, his parents being Edward and Abigail (Keeler) Middlemass, the former a native of England and the latter of Pennsylvania. When he was but two years old his parents removed to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was reared to manhood. In 1874 he

came to Sacramento, and became engaged at the Central Pacific Railroad shops, where he was employed until entering into partnership with Mr. Dolan, in March, 1884. Mr. Middlemass was married in this city December 9, 1876, to Mrs. Alice Watts, a native of New York State, but reared in Sacramento. Mr. Middlemass is a member of Industrial Lodge, I. O. O. F .; of Pacific Encampment, of Rising Star (Rebekalı) Lodge, and of the Grand Canton. Since the firm of Dolan & Middlemass was formed he has given his entire attention to the care of the trade which has been built up by the house, and which has assumed such large proportions.

TOHN B. CAVE. Among the representa- tive men of Sacramento, who have passed through the vicissitudes of pioneer life with honor and credit to themselves, is the gen- tleman whose name leads this sketeh. Mr. Cave is a native of Boone County, Missouri, born April 12, 1819. His parents, Reuben and Catherine (Hayden) Cave, were natives of Vir- ginia, who removed from there to Woodford County, Kentucky, and afterward to Boone County, Missouri, where they were pioneers, having located there at a time when their only neighbors were Indians, yet wild and numerous, bear being plentiful. John B. Cave was reared near Columbia, Boone County, and when he had arrived at a snitable age to go to school, it was necessary to walk three or four miles to a school-house. When he was a mere child his father died, leaving nine children. Only three yet survive, viz .: William J., aged seventy- six, who lives in Yolo County; John B., aged seventy; and Jesse H., aged sixty-seven. In 1833 the family removed to Van Buren County, Iowa, then also an Indian country, and shortly afterward the children lost their mother by death, and were then thrown entirely upon their own resources. Our subject grew to manhood in the vicinity of Bonaparte, Van Buren County, and there followed agricultural pursuits. Hav-

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ing been reared in a wild country, and accus- tomed to the scenes and incidents attending the settling up of a new country, the trip across the plains to California had no terrors for him, and in 1850 he started for that far westward land, at the head of five men, having four two- horse wagons, all belonging to him, having out- fitted at Bonaparte. They went to Salt Lake, etc., then proceeded down the IIumboldt and through Carson Valley to Hangtown. After a brief stop there Mr. Cave came on to Sacra- mento, and soon afterward went to Downieville and engaged in mining at Goodyear's Bar. He and his oldest brother hewed ont lumber for a flume, whip-sawed it, built a flume 400 feet long, sixteen feet wide, and three feet deep, dammned the river and run the water through the flume. They then commenced mining in the river bed, but found the enterprise only a mod- erately paying one, though people just below them were making " lots " of money. They were taking out about $6 per day apiece when the high water came on, and Mr. Cave, after selling ont to Theodore Winters, went back to Iowa. He remained in Van Buren County until 1852, when he started to drive out about 200 head of cattle and some twenty-five horses across the plains to California. This having been accom- plished, he returned to Iowa. In 1853 he re- turned to California with cattle and horses, worth about $10,000, twenty-five or thirty common horses, and 300 head of cattle. Afterselling these along the Sacramento River, he made the return trip to Iowa. There he remained until 1858, when he again started for California, this time with 350 cattle and 18 or 20 horses and mules. The Mormon troubles were then on, and he was advised to make the journey through Mexico, via Santa Fe. He had proceeded as far as Al- buquerque, when he met Lieutenant Beal re- turning from California. He advised Mr. Cave to turn off from his course and go the northern route, and the latter was persuaded to do so, and secured a guide for that purpose. At Peach Springs (where they found peach-trees growing) they had their first trouble with Indians, who

commenced to steal stock and to shoot at the members of the party. One night the camp was startled by the loud barking of dogs, and but for this all of them would have been massacred. The Indians succeeded in running off over 200 head of cattle that night, and kept making rushes and shooting, having no trouble in driv- ing away the cattle though Mr. Cave had ont a double picket guard. He himself was wounded at the first attack with an arrow, and his mule was shot three times, while one of his men was hit with a rifle ball. This sort of thing contin- ued until Mr. Cave got to a large spring abont twelve miles from the Colorado River. There he met L. J. Rose, from the same county and now of Los Angeles, who had got that far, but the Indians had killed one of his men, and had taken eight or nine fine wagons, and all of his stock except thirteen head of old oxen hitched to a wagon, a couple of mules and a pony. He asked Mr. Cave to help him, and the latter re- plied, " I have plenty, and you can share with me as long as anything is left." They decided to go back to Albuquerque, and on the way met two brothers named Smith, from Texas. Dur- the conversation that followed one of the Smith brothers announced his determination of going on to California, and tried to persuade Mr. Cave to do the same. The latter answered that he had enough of making that attempt. Finally he traded cattle for some of Smith's mnules, and Mr. Cave fitted up mule teams to go to Albu- querque, intending to proceed from there to Iowa. When they reached Las Vegas they were snowed in, and it became necessary to camp there that winter. Corn was purchased and a house and corral rented. Ilis men ob- tained employment from the United States Gov- ernment, Major Rneker turning off peons to put thein at work. Along about the last of Jann- ary the weather became favorable for traveling, and Mr. Cave said to his wife one night, " Which would you rather do-go to California, or back to the States?" The brave woman, companion of his misfortunes, replied that she would never be in favor of going back to Iowa

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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