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 62

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 62

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

In 1864 he went to Woodland, Yolo County, and for two years was the editor of the Yolo County Democrat, and for two years justice of the peace. For four years he was under- sheriff and county tax collector. In 1875 he came to Sacramento, at the instance of Jefferson Wilcox-' son, the well-known capitalist, and remained with him some time. He was then made Pat- ent Clerk and Examiner of Titles in the office of the State Surveyor-General, which position he filled for four years. He was then elected as Police Judge. During the seven years he served in that capacity he was admitted to prac- tice before the Superior Courts, and upon the expiration of his term as Police Judge he went into general practice. In May of this year (1889) he was appointed as justice of the peace, which office he now holds. In former years he was prominent in the different fraternal organi- zations, holding the office of Master Workman in the A. O. U. W .; of Sachem of the Red Men, and Noble Arch and Noble Grand Arch in the Ancient Order of Druids. The Judge was married in 1876, to Mrs. S. H. Carroll, nee Noble, a sister of William Noble, of Bear Val- ley. The Judge, who is now fifty-six years of age, would pass for several years younger. He is widely known and highly respected by all his friends and acquaintances.

HE PIONEER MILLING COMPANY. -Of all human necessities the food snp- ply ontweighs the balance in the ratio of two to one, and as a natural consequence inter- ests connected with its production and distri- bution are of the most vital importance. It would be interesting to trace the development of the manufacture of flour from the hollow- stone mortar, and its flinty pestle, of the abo- rigines, through successive stages, to the mighty steam power, roller-process inills of to-day. Perhaps in no branch of industry have the im- provements been more marked. Half a century ago the " upper or nether mill-stones " turned

by immense water wheels, making only coarse meal, were the only ones known. The first mill in this county to make " Extra " flour was the old " Bay State " mill, located on M street, between First and Second streets, in 1852, owned and operated by Polly, Niehols & Gar- field. This mill, which had a capacity of 150 barrels, was burned in the great fire of Novem- ber the 3d of that year. It was rebuilt and in operation within six weeks after the fire, and run by Polly & Garfield until 1856, when it blew up; but prior to the explosion Mr. Garfield had sold out his interest to a Mr. Hall, and had in connection with Mr. George W. Mowe, bought the Wilson mill, located at the mouth of the American River; this mill was called the " Eureka," and huilt about the same time as the "Bay State," in 1852. It was improved by Garfield & Mowe, and the name changed to the "Pioneer Mill;" subsequently Mowe sold ont to Alexander Dyer. The firm name re- mained unchanged until the fall of 1859, when it was burned by an incendiary. In 1854 a man named Carey had bought the buildings of the "Boston Ice Company," pnt in mnill ina- chinery, and called it the " Carey Mill." At the time the Pioneer was burned the " Carey Mill " was owned by Mr. E. P. Figg, and in. 1861 Garfield & Co. tought the mill, and changed its name to "The Pioneer." This mill, in its turn, was burned during the following year, 1862. Mr. Garfield then bought the "Sunny- side Mill" at Anburn, brought it down, and erected it at the month of the American River, gave it the name of the " Pioneer," and once more started in. It was subsequently enlarged and improved at an outlay of over $70,000, the firm being Mowe, Carroll, Simpson & Garfield. The property was greatly damaged when the month of the river was changed, its store- honse, etc., being washed away by the current. Several changes having been made in the membership of the firm, the name of the firmn was changed to II. G. Smith & Co. This con- tinned until 1883, when a joint-stock company was organized under the laws of the State of

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California, entitled " The Pioneer Milling Com- pany," with H. G. Smith as president, and Mr. Llewellyn Williams, vice-president, F. B. Smith, secretary, and S. N. Garfield, general manager. The "Pioneer Mill" is one of the oldest and largest establishments in its line in Northern California. It is most conveniently located for the transaction of its business, being upon the bank of the Sacramento River, per- mitting the deepest-draft river craft to discharge directly into the mill, and to receive cargoes of flour therefrom, while on its eastern side a side track is placed which permits the convenient and speedy loading and discharging on railroad cars. The mill proper is a commodious four- story building, to which is attached a large two story warehouse, the whole covering an area of 150 x 600 feet. It is fully equipped with the latest improved roller-process machinery, and employs some thirty-five men in its oper- ation. It has a capacity of 500 barrels per day, and makes an annual average of 150,000 barrels. The manufacturers of this establish- ment occupy the foremost position in the mar- ket, and are regarded with marked and popular favor by merchants and consumers. Besides manufacturing and handling flour, this firm deals largely in grain, and all kinds of mill feed. The individual stockholders of the company are all well known and substantial residents, who have been identified with the progress, prosperity and improvement of Sacramento in every way, and have always been fore- most in every effort to build up her com- mercial, industrial, manufacturing and social prestige and advantages. Mr. H. G. Smithi, the president of the company, is a native of the State of New York, having been born at Ithaea, at the head of Cayuga Lake, in 1832, the son of Franklin Smith, a farmer. At the age of seventeen he entered the drug house of Dr. Hawley, of Ithaca, and for two years remained there, learning the business, but with the aspi. rations of an energetic mind. Desiring a larger field, he early determined to migrate to the far West, and in company with two friends -

Joseph Trneman and John Thompson-he left New York on the 7th of December, 1850, for California, coming via the Nicaragua route, landing in San Francisco on the 9th January, 1851, having made a remarkably quick passage. After spending a short time in the mines at " Negro Bar," on the American River, and be- coming convinced that the life of a miner would not suit him, he came to Sacramento, and was engaged in various enterprises; among them, in 1856, was draying, having bought two drays, one of which he himself drove for a time, hauling chiefly for the old " Bay State Mill." He continued in this business for seven years. In this and similar enterprises he accumulated money, and upon the failure of the " Odd Fel- lows' Bank, in 18-, he became the receiver of that defunct institution, and later on, when the " Peoples' Bank " was organized, he became a large stockholder and a director. As early as 1863 he had bought an interest in the " Pioneer Mill," and when the joint stock company was formed he became its president, which position he still retains, taking an active personal part in the direction of the affairs of the great insti- tution. Coming to Sacramento, as he did in his early youth, he may be said to have grown up with the city, having been closely identified with her social and material interests for np- wards of thirty-seven years. He stands to-day foremost among her representative men.

HARLES A. JENKINS, proprietor of the State House Hotel .- Perhaps in no country in the world do so large a proportion of the people live at hotels as in America; cer- tainly in no country do so large a proportion of the population spend their time in traveling from place to place for business and pleasure; men and women of all classes travel; and the necessity for ample, commodious hotel accom- modations is yearly increasing; nor are the travelers of to-day satisfied with such accommo- dations as were furnished in the past; the ele-

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gant structures which are being erected in every town for the accommodation of her transient guests testify to this fact, and men of large means and ample experienee are found at the head of establishments of this character. It has been truly said that hotel men " are born, not made;" the meaning being, that no matter how elegant a strneture, or the appointments or surroundings of a hotel may be, to make a sue- cess, requires a man of peculiar characteristics; he must have all the qualifications of a thorough business man, including a ready taet, a thorough intuitive knowledge of human nature, united with great urbanity of manners, and a never failing supply of patience and goodfellowship. If, with these characteristics, he has at his coul- mand a commodious and pleasantly located house, success becomes assured, and the reputa- tion of his hostelry established. In the hotel known as the State House, in this city, located on the corner of Tenth and K streets, it would seem, the qualities above referred to, are care- fully considered. The house was established in 1868 by one Barton, who was its first proprie- tor, and it then had fifty-six rooms; additions were however made from time to time until in 1882 it had 112 rooms, thus taking rank as the second largest hotel in the city. It was at this time owned by Ilod. Eldred, Esq. In 1886 it came into the possession of its present proprie- tor, and for three years past it has been under the popular management of Mr. B. B. Brown, At this writing, the entire premises are being remodeled and enlarged by an addition of twenty-four rooms, besides a large dining-room, store-room, kitchen, etc., at an expenditure of from 830,000 to $40,000; no expense will be spared to make it the largest and finest hotel in the city; its location, one square from the Capi- tol, the center of the np-town traffie, its patron- age equaled only by one other house in the city, and the personal popularity of its present owner and proprietor can warrant us in saying that when finished, the new State House will be second to none in Sacramento, and equaled by few on the coast. A short sketeh of the owner

and proprietor of this well-known house cannot but be interesting to his many friends and ac- quaintanees. Charles Asbery Jenkins is prac- tically a native of Sacramento County, for, although born in the city of Cincinnati, in 1848, he came to this county when but ten years old, being brought up by his maternal uncle, Charles Warner Pierce, a prominent rancher of the Co- suinnes River, and later a resident of this city, where he died in October, 1887. Young Jen- kins was raised under the fostering care of this uncle, to whose example and precept he is in- debted, largely, for the qualities of head and heart which so distinguish him; his edneation, began at the public schools in this city, was acquired partly at Vacaville College, in Solano County (since destroyed) and partly at the busi- ness and commercial college of San Francisco. A part of his unele's teaching was of self-reli- ance, to depend upon himself, and before he reached his majority he was eneouraged to en- gage in stock-raising, and other enterprises; and such was his unele's confidenee in his integrity and ability, that when he came to embark on his journey to the "Great Beyond " he left the management of his affairs in the hands of his favorite nephew, who was appointed sole execu- tor without bonds, of an estate valued at $187,- 500. Mr. Jenkins was a Presidential elector for Mr. Cleveland, and has ever been an interested student of political economy, a straight-out Democrat, as was his uncle; he has yet always been an "independent," upholding and support- ing the best man, and averse to " boss-ism " and party chicanery, out-spoken in his preferments, and firm in his convictions. A practical farmer, for four years an active and influential member of the " Patrons of Husbandry," he is the owner of one of the finest ranehes on the Cosumnes River, eighteen miles southeast of Sacramento, where he takes pride in raising the finest stock. The value of this farm of 800 acres has been greatly enhanced by the erection of commodi- ous buildings and other improvements at an out- lay of not less than $20,000, and is considered a model farın. Mr. Jenkins is a member of the

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Masonic fraternity, a Knight Templar, a mem- ber of Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M. His estimable wife, whom he married in 1876, is a daughter of James A. Elder, a well-known rancher and a prominent Democrat. The family consists of three girls. In concluding this brief mention of one of the representative inen of the Capital City, it is safe to predict that the new State House, under its present management will exceed in popularity its record of the past; and that as a Boniface our subject will be a success.

592 EORGE M. DIXON, M. D .- Within the shadows of the White Mountains on the East, and the shores of Lake Champlain on the West, lies Chittenden County, one of the finest portions of the State of Vermont; here, in 1848, was born George M. Dixon, the sub- ject of this sketch. He is the son of Rev. H. HI. Dixon, a Presbyterian minister, who emi- grated with his family to Wisconsin in 1852, and was one of the pioneer preachers there. The Doctor's boyhood was passed principally in the sonthern and eastern parts of that State, and at the age of sixteen he entered Ripon College, in Ripon, Wisconsin, for the scientific course, and later on he was matriculated at the New York Homeopathic Medical College, New York city, where he graduated with honor in 1871. That institution, whose presidential chair was filled by one of Nature's nobleinen, William Cullen Bryant, and whose faculty was composed of such inen as William Todd Hellmuth, Timothy F. Allen, J. W. Dowling and Carroll Dunham, had much to do with shaping the Doctor's after life. For two years he was in the New York Oph- thalmic Hospital, when he returned to Ripon, and during the next four years was engaged in general practice in Wisconsin. There he was married to Miss Sadie A. Johnson, daughter of HI. E. Johnson, Esq., an elder in the Presbyte- rian Church. The failing health of his wife induced him to seek a milder climate, and he came to California, landing in Sacramento on

the 5th of November, 1876. Thoroughly im- bued with the advantages of the Hahnemann school of practice, full of pluck and vim, he set himself to work to see that he and his fellow practitioners of that school should receive their due recognition. He was instrumental in secur- ing for the homeopathists the Sacramento Hospital and the City Dispensary. He became a member of the City Board of Healthı, a rep- resentative to the State Board of IIealth, and president of the California Homeopathic Medi- cal Society. In 1881, business matters requir- ing his attention, he returned to the East, where he remained until 1886, when he again came to California and once more located in Sacramento, content to live here all his life long, engaged in the practice of his loved profession, making a specialty of surgery and the affections of the eye and ear.

R. J. H. SHIRLEY, cancer specialist, Sac- ramento, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, March 28, 1838. When fourteen years of age he crossed the plains with his parents to Sacramento, arriving here in Angust, 1852; bnt he went to Stockton, where he had an uncle, -Robert Simmons. He was married in James- town, Tuolnmne County, California, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of George W. Fleming, who had come to this State in 1852. In 1868 the Doctor went to Alameda County, engaging in the live-stock business; and it was not until 1884 that he became interested in the specialty for which he has now become so well known. It was during that year that he made the ac. quaintance of Dr. W. W. McCoy, of Stockton, proprietor of " McCoy's Tonic and Blood Puri- fier," and cancer specialist. After two years of successful practice with him there, he removed to this city, establishing himself on Fourth street. He now has his office on K street, and is enjoying remarkable success in the treatment of his cases, who come to him from all parts of the country. Both his parents were from the

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Sonth. His father, Thomas Jefferson Shirley, was a native of Richmond, Virginia, and his mother, Mary, nee Simmons, of East Tennessee. He has four children: Lewella, now Mrs. W. J. Tannehill; Paul, Lucy and Emma Dale.

R. B. F. PENDERY, eclectic physician, Sacramento, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, August 11, 1846. His father, Will- iam D. Pendery, was also a native of that State, and a farmer by occupation. His mother, who was a Ludlow, was the first white female child born in the eity of Cincinnati. The doctor is the seventh son in a family of ten children, nine sons and one daughter. It is a remarkable fact that no less than five of these sons became phy- sicians, inheriting their talent from their father, who, although a farmer, was known for miles around as an expert in medical treatment. The early years of the subject of this sketch were spent on the farm. At the age of seventeen years he began the study of medicine at the Cincinnati Eclectic College, under the tutelage of Dr. R. S. Newton, and was in every way fitted for rapid advancement. Three years later, in 1868, he began the practice of his chosen profession at Dayton, Ohio, and continued there two years. In 1872 he removed to Farmer City, De Witt County, Illinois, and remained there until 1875. In December of that year he came to California, locating in Sacramento, his office being on the corner of Fifth and J streets; he is now on K street near Fourth. September, 11,1876, lie was elected a member of the Eclec- tic Medical Society of California. The Doctor is of a most genial disposition, esteeming his friends highly and being also a great admirer of a good horse. His judgment in respect to horses is sought by many, and every one knows his dapple gray. The Doctor has been married twice, first at Indianapolis, March 20, 1869, to Miss Lucy A. Brown,a native of Jackson County, Illinois, who died in 1881; secondly, to Miss Edith S. Dickson, a native of the Golden West

and a daughter of John F. Dickson, a pioneer from Salem, Massachusetts.

ELSON CHAMPLIN was born at LeRoy, Genesee County, New York, in 1827, and when ten years of age the family removed to Jackson County, Michigan, where his father died two years later. He learned the cabinet trade in the town of Albion, Michigan, and afterward went to Oyer's Corner in Jackson County, where he was engaged in farming. In the spring of 1852 he, with five other young men, started for California, Hiram Oyer, Will- iam and Major Porter being members of the company. Starting from Springport, they came overland, crossing the river at St. Joseph, Mis- souri, taking the Salt Lake route, and coming into the State via Sublette's cut-off, and arrived in Hangtown August 22, having been on the journey five and a half months. When they reached Salt Lake he was ill with mountain fever, and has a very vivid recollection of the care and attention bestowed upon him by two women, the wives of a Mormon elder, to whom he owes his recovery. From Hangtown the party went to join Philip Oyer, a brother of one of the party, who had come to the coast in 1851 and located on the middle fork of the American River. They engaged in mining, and in the fall of that year went to Diamond Spring, El Dorado County, where he remained for eight or nine years. In 1861 he went to Virginia City, Nevada, and engaged in wood hauling, Hiram Oyer having the contract to furnish the Golden Curry mines with wood, and for two seasons he was engaged in that business. In 1870 he came to Sacramento and built his pres- ent residence on I street, but continued his in- terest in the wood business, having succeeded Mr. Oyer, until 1878, when he went to Mexico, where he was engaged in silver mining; his family remained in Sacramento. During the succeeding seven years he returned home but twice. The Vaca and San Marcus mines were,

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at that time, considered to be marvelously rich, but they were almost inaccessible, Inmber, tim- ber, machinery and supplies having to be packed across the State of Durango on mules and bur- ros. In 1888 he sold out his interest there and returned to Sacramento, which, notwithstand- ing his protracted absence, he had continued to claim as his home. He is a member of Tehama Lodge, F. & A. M., the oldest lodge in the State. Mr. Champlin was married in 1870 to Miss Sarah J. James, a native of Wales, who came to the State of New York with her parents when a child. They have no children, if we ex- cept the two children of his brother-in-law, Jolın W. James, above referred to as his busi- ness partner in the Mexican mines; he died leaving two bright pretty children, who are now members of Mr. Champlin's family.

R. IRA. G. SHAW, dentist. The science of dental surgery is being rapidly devel- oped, and every year brings into the field new men fitted by earnest study of the most ap- proved methods, to secure the best results. Such men must necessarily take the lead; and among these Ira G. Shaw holds a prominent position. He was born in Middleboro, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, in June, 1857. He came to this coast when a child and resumed his education in the public schools of Sacramento. In 1874 he entered the office of Dr. W. W. Light, the pioneer dentist of this county, and for eleven years was a practitioner with him. In 1885 he started business for himself, and his dental parlors on the corner of Tenth and J streets are amply supplied with all the most improved ap- pliances known to the art; and it is safe to say that there is no more pains-taking operator on this coast, nor one more fully learned in the de- tails of his profession. The Doctor comes from an old New England family, and his wife, Phobe Shaw, nee Chiles, is a native daughter of the Golden West. She is a granddaughter of Colonel Joseph Chiles, of Napa County. The

Doctor, while not a native son, has been in this county since boyhood and has identified himself with the interests of the county during all the years of early manhood. He is essentially a Sacramento man, thoroughly believing in her future, and ready and willing at all times to ad- vance her interests in public and private. He is peculiarly domestic in his characteristics, but, notwithstanding this, is popular among the " boys," a liberal patron of all legitimate sports and pastimes, and socially ranks among the foremost in the city.

C. FELCH, a pioneer, was born in the little village of Midway in the eastern part of Massachusetts, May 24, 1816. His father, Dr. Walton Felch, was a prominent physician of Boston, while his father's brother, Rev. Cheever Felch, was an Episcopal clergy - man and Chaplain in the United States Navy. The family is of Welsh origin. The subject of this sketch was educated in Boston, learned the printers' trade there and worked as a journey- man in various offices of that city, and later conducted a job office of his own. In the spring of 1849 a company was formed to come to Cali- fornia known as the Boston & Newtown Com- pany. Brackett Lord of Newtown, was president and W. C. Felch vice-president. The company came overland to the State, by way of Independ- ence and Carson Valley, arriving safely in San Francisco September 27. For the first year Mr. Felch followed mining on the forks of the American River; but not succeeding as he had anticipated he came to Sacramento and estab- lished himself on Fifth street between J and K, as a sign and ornamental painter, an art he had also acquired in Boston. He can still show, after the lapse of all these years, a specimen of his handiwork, in the engine house on Tenth street between I and J, an oil painting which is preserved with much care by the company. In early days he was a staunch Democrat in poli- tics, but became a Republican when Ft. Sumt r

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was fired upon, and has been so ever since. In early days he was one of the city assessors and held the office of Assistant United States As- sessor under John M. Avery, during Lincoln's administration, and he was a member of the commission appointed by the Governor to ap- praise the land condemned for the State capitol purposes. After he left the revenne office he enter the real-estate business in which he is still engaged. He is a member of the Scra- mento Society of California Pioneers and one of its past presidents. Mr. Felch has been a very active member of several fraternal organizations. His wife, who is a paralytic invalid at this writ- ing, is a daughter of Mr. Benjamin Ferris, of Horsehead, New York, who lived to the patri- archal age of 100 years.

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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