USA > California > Sacramento County > History of Sacramento County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, 1913 > Part 50
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"As the gold mines increased in number Sacramento became a
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·mission center not only for the scattered populations entering the valley, but for much of the mining country as well. In 1853 Marys- ville received its first resident priest and from that as a center the various surrounding territories and mining districts were visited as often as possible. Archbishop Allemany then had jurisdiction of the territory and Christian pioneer work progressed remark- ably well. In 1861 the population had so far increased that Rev. Eugene O'Connell was consecrated bishop and sent from Rome as vicar apostolic of that vast country lying between the thirty-ninth and forty-second degrees of latitude, Nevada in the east to the Pacific in the west. Dr. O'Connell had but four priests to minister to the spir- itual wants of the gold seekers and other residents of that vast region. He lived in Marysville, as Sacramento was then under the juris- diction of the archbishop of San Francisco. His advent marked the beginning of an area of great prosperity for Catholicity. Ten years later found that apostolic man with thirty able priests en- gaged in work in the same territory. In 1868 the vicariate at- tained such organization as to be constituted a diocese by Pope Pius IX, called the diocese of Grass Valley. The arduous work, with the advancing years of Bishop O'Connell, compelled him to apply for a coadjutor. Father Patrick Manogue, then pastor of Vir- ginia City, was in 1880 appointed to the office with the right of suc- cession and was consecrated bishop in St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco, in 1881. When the pioneer bishop resigned his see in 1884, it was to Bishop Manogue that the care of the diocese passed and he immediately took up the responsibility of its government.
"Of the many priests who ministered in Sacramento in these eventful years one lately called to his reward, Rev. Patrick Scan- lan, is especially well remembered today. At his invitation the Brothers of the Christian schools came here in August, 1876. The thousands of boys who have since passed through that educational institution, established by his energy and erected at Twelfth and K streets, have good reason to cherish his memory, along with the memory of the Brothers, with whom many happy school days were spent. St. Joseph's Academy, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, was likewise made a fount of polite learning for young ladies. In 1886 the Episcopal see was transferred from Marysville to Sac- ramento. Five years previous Rt. Rev. Thomas Grace was sent to take up a portion of the work of the church. When Bishop Man- ogue came to Sacramento to reside Father Grace was appointed rector of St. Rose's pro-cathedral. On undertaking the work of building the present stately cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Bishop Manogue found, through the many friends that Father Grace had made during his years of residence here, generous supporters for the worthy cause. The making of Sacramento the cathedral or mother church of Northern California marked a high step forward
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in affairs Catholic. From that to this, the development of the good cause has been marked. Since 1886 Catholics look to Sacra- mento not only as the capital of this resourceful valley and of the entire state, but also as the center of Catholicism for all Northern California and Nevada.
"The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, begun in 1886 and dedicated in 1889, is in the later Italian style of architecture. It was built under the direction of that architect and scholar, Bryan J. Clinch, whose death occurred in Oakland after the San Fran- cisco fire in 1906 and whom to know was to revere. The elegant proportions of the structure, its majestic dome rising to a height of over two hundred feet, its classic arches and arched ceiling set in frames of varied frescoes, the harmony of due proportions in dimensions, the storied windows, rare paintings and the statnary it contains, endear both the structure and its venerable builder to Sacramento citizens, irrespective of creed or class. There is no public building in the city that is more visited by strangers. Its delicate spire, surmounted by a golden cross, that rises to a height of two hundred and sixteen feet, meets one's eye for miles outside of the city and is visible long before the home of the Camellia itself comes into view. Its tower clock, with massive dials and sonorous chimes, lends much to the public use as well as to the elegance of the structure. The building is cruciform, 208x114, being by far the most spacious church in California as well as the most elab- orate and ornate in design. After a life of toil Bishop Manogue had the crowning consolation of seeing his latest church and resi- dence completed and financed before called by God to render his account.
"Twelve months after the death of the Rt. Rev. Bishop, Rev. Thomas Grace received his letters of appointment to the vacant see of Sacramento and was consecrated June 16, 1896. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1867 at All Hallows College, Dublin, and immediately afterward came to California to do priestly work. During his administration much has been done materially and spir- itually for the advancement of religion in the city and country tribu- tary to Sacramento. Churches and schools have multiplied until almost every fair-sized town in the valley has a resident priest and there are many with two. Beautiful buildings are replacing the smaller structures, whose ever open doors elevate many a worldly heart from earth to heaven. It may truly be said that the Catholic Church is so scattered in this expansive valley that all who desire may avail themselves of its privileges. The four priests by whom the work was begun are now replaced by almost sixty. The Sac- ramento that possessed only a chapel fifty years ago today has six churches and as many chapels, attended by ten priests. Under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy in 1904 the church took up
H. Thork
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the care of homeless children in the beautiful Stanford mansion on Eighth and N streets. The same gentle hands soothe the sick and dying in the various hospitals of the city and county, as well as in their own. The daughters of St. Francis have come in to carry on their specific work, teaching. Catholic schools to the num- ber of five in the different sections of the city have been erected and are maintained by Catholic generosity, so that boys and girls may be sent to breast the world secured not only in secular knowl- edge, but likewise in the principles of morality and their Christian faith. The same forces, fidelity and zeal of bishops, priests and people that accomplished this much, under Divine guidance, are not exhausted, but invigorated by the work to renewed effort for still greater advances. Now that the material side of the Catholic movement is substantially provided for, the energy of all can be more effectually devoted to its central feature, the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ in all of its original simplicity and full- ness."
HARRY THORP
The position of an humble apprentice in a mercantile establish- ment in the north of England rarely points to the presidency of a large American department store, but such represents the beginning and the climax of the career of Harry Thorp, recognized as one of the merchant princes of the capital city and as one of the most experienced anthorities in dry goods that the Pacific coast can boast. Apparent chance or the over-ruling destiny that guides all humanity turned his steps toward the occupation for which he was best qualified, and when he received admission to an established mercantile house as a . junior apprentice he placed his feet upon the rounds of the ladder leading upward to success. Years of the most conscientious labor fol- lowed. Experience developed a natural aptitude for the business and cultivated his sagacious judgment concerning the quality of fabrics, the correct value of cottons and woolens, and the inherent worth of the vast number of supplementary articles included in every complete stock of merchandise.
The genealogy of the Thorp family indicates a long line of Eng- lish ancestry, many of them identified with the shire of Lancaster. where Harry Thorp was born and where his parents, John and Helen (Parker) Thorp, made their lifelong home. Primarily educated in the free schools, he later attended an academy, but in 1880 left school in order to begin an apprenticeship to the dry-goods trade in Burnley, Lancashire, England. The next four years represented a period of
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the greatest importance in his commercial life and laid the foundation for all subsequent prosperity. In the midst of his monotonous task as an apprentice, he kept an attentive mind, a clear vision and an open ear, so that he quietly absorbed a vast fund of information con- cerning mercantile pursuits. When he left the English firm in 1884 he crossed the ocean to New York City and secured a clerkship in the dry goods house of John Daniels & Son, remaining with that firm until December, 1887, when he came via the Isthmus of Panama, to Sacramento, his subsequent headquarters and present home.
By a fortunate coincidence the ability of Mr. Thorp attracted the attention of Weinstock, Lubin & Company, and he was given a posi- tion in their department store, where he was promoted from one post to another until he was made general buyer for the dry goods depart- ment. After two years in that position he became eastern buyer for several departments, making semi-annual trips to Chicago and New York. He soon became foreign representative for the house, making a number of business trips to Paris and other important European trade centers. After being financially interested in the company for some years he was made a director in the company. During January of 1910 he was elected president and manager of the concern, which since has reaped the benefit of his wise counsel as chief executive and lis efficient oversight as manager. The same ability which has helped to bring success to his mercantile establishment enables him to serve with discretion and sagacity as a member of the executive board of the Retail Merchants' Association, also as a director of the Chamber of Commerce. With other capitalists he was interested in the starting of the Hotel Sacramento and became one of the directors of the com- pany owning the same. In addition he acts as a director of the Sutter club, and his social and fraternal connections are further broadened through his association with the Masons of the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, and Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco. While never prominent in partisan affairs, he is loyal to the Republican party and gives his stanch allegiance to the men pledged to promote party principles. About three years after coming to Sacramento, on New Year's Day of 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Lillian E. Smith of this city. They are the parents of an only son, Harry Sam, now a student in the University of California. The family are actively connected with the Episcopal church of Sacramento.
S. J. LUBIN
A native son of California, S. J. Lubin was born in Sacramento in 1876 and there attended the public schools, graduating from high school in 1895 and in 1903 he obtained the degree of A. B. from
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Harvard University. He then engaged in college settlement work, his field of action being principally in New York and Boston, and in 1906 he returned to Sacramento, and he is now serving as a member of the board of directors of Weinstock, Lubin & Co., and also as secretary of the same. He served from the first of January, 1911, to the first of July, that year, as a member of the Board of Education. On August 20, 1912, he was appointed by Governor Johnson a member of the State Immigration Commission.
Mr. Lubin married in New York City Miss Rebecca Cohen, who was born in Moscow, Russia, and was reared and educated in New York City. They are the parents of two children, David, Jr., and Ruth.
HUGH MCELROY LARUE, JR.
A sturdy California son of a sturdy Kentucky sire is the subject of this sketch, and the two men of like blood and like name may to some extent blend together in this story. It is a far cry from the "Land of Gold" back to the "Dark and Bloody Ground," and a long lap of years between '66, the day Hugh McElroy LaRue, Jr., and '30, the day of Hugh McElroy LaRue, Sr. The father, whose coming across the plains was in the famous fall of '49, had been digging around in the mines and on the ranches of California about seventeen years when the young man was born. This first incident in his life, October 1, 1866, took place on the homestead ranch of the Rancho del Paso, possibly more known as the Norris Grant, situated near Sac- ramento City. In all California's golden acres may be found no more noble tract of soil, rich leagues of oaken hill and dale, and here within these auspicious surroundings he began his span of life. Nor was he the only junior in that family circle. There were five, he being third of the four boys, whose order of birth was, Jacob Eugene, Calhoun Lee, Hugh McElroy and John Rush. There was a lone sister to this quartet of brothers, by name Marie Virginia, who early passed away. Their mother in her pre-marriage day was Miss E. M. Lizenby, daugh- ter of Thomas Lizenby, a prominent pioneer in the history of Lewis county, Mo. She is a halfsister of Rev. William M. Rush of the Mis- souri conference of the M. E. Church, and of the Hon. John A. Rush, formerly state senator from Colusa county, but later attorney-general of Arizona. Hence the source and inspiration of John Rush LaRue's name.
Soon after the birth of his fourth son, the father disposed of his interest in the homestead tract, and invested in about two thousand
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acres in Yolo county. A further investment was in a one hundred and forty-acre vineyard near Yountville, Napa county. The elder sons, Jacob and Calhoun, were placed in charge of these properties and the family removed to Sacramento. Here Hugh LaRue attended the city public schools and prepared for the State University. H. M. LaRue, Sr., was nearly all his life a public man, taking an active part in state agricultural and legislative matters, and in such surroundings the younger man grew up, making full preparation for a useful after-life. He went through the University of California with the class of '90, studied law and was admitted to practice two years after. He was with Judge MeKune of Sacramento for ten years, and in 1898 opened an office and went into business for himself. He is now president of the Sacramento Abstract and Title Company, of which firm his brother, John R. LaRue, is a prominent member. Mr. LaRne was married June 5, 1907, to Miss Edith IInghson, daughter of W. A. Hughson, a former well-known physician of that city. He is a member of the Elks, also of the Sutter and University Clubs. His home is at No. 1044 Cutter avenne, Sacramento.
CHARLES F. GREEN
The subject of this sketch was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Oc- tober 29, 1858, the son of William and Laura (Gott) Green. When fifteen years old he left school and began to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for five years in his native place. In 1881 he came to California and settled near Bolinas, where he engaged in ranching until 1886, a portion of the time working at his trade. Then he removed to Sacramento, where he immediately entered the employ of Edward Bovyer, contractor and builder. Here he remained for one year, but it was the preliminary to his work in the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, where he is now a valued employe. He was first engaged as carpenter in the car shops and six months later, having proved himself capable, he entered the bridge and building depart- ment, and the following year, 1887, was made foreman of the depart- ment. In 1905 he was promoted to supervisor of the same depart- ment and he is still filling this position efficiently.
Mr. Green was married in Ontario, October 26, 1881, to Miss Menerva L. Healy. They have three children, viz .: Mrs. Marrin Noble of Roseville; Alec, a machinist with the Southern Pacific Rail- road Company, and Arvin, a student in the high school. Mr. Green is a member of the Masonic order and a member of the Methodist Church, and for many years he has cast his vote for Republican candidates.
Charley FT Silva
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CHARLES F. SILVA
Having distinguished himself during his entire career by his shrewd business management and inflexible honor, it is fitting that Mr. Silva should stand as he does today among the avowed financial leaders of both Sacramento, Yolo and Sutter counties, the center of his interests being in Sacramento. Not only has he achieved material success, but, through temptations innumerable, has resisted every form of dishonor, giving to his children a name which they will ever be proud to bear. A naturalized citizen of the United States, Mr. Silva has been identified with the development of California since 1878, when he crossed the Pacific with his brother, Frank F. He was born December 14, 1867, in Fiole, Azores Islands, Portugal, of which country his parents, John and Annie (Posash) Silva, also were natives.
Mr. Silva spent his early youth in a home of culture and received a training which combined both love and firmness and which left upon his childish character a lasting impression. Although but eleven years of age when he left his studies to accompany his brother to the new land, he had acquired, by concentration and natural aptitude, knowl- edge greatly exceeding in extent that absorbed by his American brothers of a similar age, and was, therefore, fairly well equipped to engage in the battle of life. Upon reaching Boston, after a voyage of three weeks, the brothers proceeded at once to Sacramento, Cal., which they had chosen as their destination, since reports combined to cast particular favor upon that locality. Settling in Vernon, Sutter county, Charles Silva served two years on a ranch, and in 1880, having saved most of his earnings, was enabled to establish a cheese manu- facturing plant, but two years later disposed of his interest and rented a farm in Yolo county, where he set up and operated a cheese plant for one year and then purchased his own cows. Shortly thereafter he engaged in the traffic of wood, carrying on both enterprises until 1900, when he changed his residence to Sacramento. Here he conducted a coal and wood business of no inconsiderable importance, also employ- ing, for the sale of provisions, two boats whose route included the towns of the Sacramento river between the capital and Butte City.
Thoroughly interested in the progress of the community in which he had cast his fortunes, and possessing a rare sense of diplomacy and foresight, he rose in commercial circles with a sureness which was somewhat baffling to many of his competitors, who, despite their efforts, found it impossible to outstrip this cool and self-possessed young business man, whose affairs appeared to conduct themselves as if by magic. Not in the least selfish or domineering, however, Mr.
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Silva continued to increase his interest in municipal matters, and by his quiet and timely assistance soon became known as a man whose snecess failed to blind him to the needs of the public.
In 1911, associated with a Mr. Brown, Mr. Silva established the Silva-Brown Company, wholesale and retail dealers in coal,. wood and feed. He also owns seven thousand acres of land in Sutter county devoted to the growing of alfalfa and grain and also to stock-raising, and he conducts four meat markets in Sacramento, one located on Ninth and N streets, one on Sixteenth and M, one on Fourth and M, and one on Seventh and J streets. He is today the largest individual cattle dealer in the state of California. Aside from his large ship- ments from various sections of the state, he shipped in from old Mexico three thousand head in 1911, and this year the shipment will be much larger. Mr. Silva has served as manager and director of the Sacramento River Farms Company since its organization, his ex- ecutive ability and unquenchable energy particularly fitting him for the position, in which he has been of incalculable value. Under this company the partners are operating ten thousand and four hundred acres of grain.
Mr. Silva has always been a great lover of the horse, and for many years has been breeding standard bred animals, to such an extent that he has one of the finest lot of standard bred studs and dams in the state. He raised and owns Teddy Bear, which has a record of 2:05 at the State Fair of California, held at Sacramento in 1911. The record up to that time had stood for six years at 2:061/2, which Teddy Bear broke, as stated above. Mr. Silva also owns Queen S., the mother of Teddy Bear, and also Black Bear, the two- year-old son of Teddy Bear, that is developing into just as fast a pacer. It is a source of recreation and pleasure and a pride to him to have been able to accomplish such wonderful results and to improve the standard-bred horse in California. He is a member of the Cali- fornia Driving club of San Francisco and the Sacramento Driving club.
In Sacramento, on August 15, 1899, Mr. Silva was united in mar- riage with Miss Terese Kennedy, who was born in Oakland, the danghter of Daniel and Mary (Hurley) Kennedy, natives of Ireland and New Orleans, La., respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Silva became the parents of eight children, as follows: Claire M., Charles C., Ralph C., Fred C., Alice C., Merrill C., Raymond C. and Bertram C. In their comfortable home circle are found the confidence and companionship which assures the success of the parents in the rearing of their chil- dren. A Republican in progressive principles, Mr. Silva takes a deep interest in political matters, although he has never aspired to public office.
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HERSCHEL B. MATHEWS
To the man who places honor above all else in his dealings with his associates, life holds no real bitterness, for the consciousness of having obeyed the voice within lightens discouragements and makes of them but passing dreams, each milestone adding a measure of se- rene content incomparably precious to the soul which receives it.
In the well-spent life of Mr. Mathews, assistant superintendent of the Sacramento Electric & Gas Railway Company, is found no element reflecting discredit upon the name which he has given his children, and his excellent business judgment and keen foresight give evidence of the innate executive ability which he possesses. Born August 30, 1862, in Wyandot, county, Ohio, of which section his par- ents, Daniel and Emma Jane (Barnthouse) Mathews, were among the first settlers, he accompanied the family four years later to Clay county, Mo., from the public school of which locality he graduated at the age of fifteen. Until 1883, when he rented a farm of his own, he assisted his father, his close attention to his work enabling him to take charge of his own affairs with great ease. After four years he abandoned agricultural pursuits and going to Kansas City, Mo., he secured a situation as conductor on the Metropolitan Street Railway, but in 1888, tiring of city life, he returned to his home section, wel- coming gladly the duties of the farm, which at least afforded the peace and freedom of the great ont-of-doors. In 1891, having convinced him- self that the opportunities to be secured in the west were worthy of investigation, he disposed of his interests and set out for California, arriving in Sacramento in November, 1891. Without difficulty he ob- tained a position as conductor on the line of the Sacramento Electric & Gas Railway Company, and after a faithful service of twenty years, during which period he amply demonstrated his sterling qualities and his devotion to duty, he was made assistant superintendent of the entire line, taking charge of his office April 20, 1911, his subsequent management of his work proving beyond criticism.
In February, 1894, in Sacramento, Mr. Mathews was married to Miss Adelia Ilgner, whose birth occurred in Dixon, Cal., and whose parents, William and Sophia (Gotwalt) Ilgner, natives of Germany, were early settlers in California. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews have two children, Ruth and Olive, both of whom are ambitions students in the Sacramento high school, and the family home at No. 2411 K street is the scene of many a gathering of happy young people.
A Republican of broad and practical principles, Mr. Mathews takes a prominent part in civic affairs, and as a supporter of the Emanuel Baptist Church, of which his wife is a member, is counted among the most active workers for the advancement of all uplifting projects.
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