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 52
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Engineer Randle, in a busy city like Sacramento, is indeed a busy man, and a capable man in his intricate and complicated profession.
St. Roberts
Ana L. A. Roberts
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He has splendidly and successfully extended the city's water system and the sewerage system as well, constructing a sewage pumping plant with a capacity each twenty-four hours of 107,000,000 gallons.
Mr. Randle married Miss Mollie Nurse, daughter of M. A. and Mary Nurse. Mrs. Randle is a prominent church and club woman, being a member of the Tuesday and Saturday clubs, and she is a tal- ented musician. Her husband is a Knight Templar and a member of Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco, the Elks and the Sutter club. In professional interests he is a member of the Technical Society of the Pacific Coast and of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
CAPT. JOHN H. ROBERTS
The ranks of the pioneers have fast thinned out in recent years. The number of men having a clear remembrance of the features which distinguished the coast country in the early '50s is lessening faster and faster with each passing twelvemonth. Capt. John H. Roberts, who died at his residence, No. 717 N street, Sacramento, February 15, 1909, was among the brave and resolute travelers who made the journey with a company of emigrants which was outfitted for the overland trip at Chicago, Ill., which was then only a village com- paratively. His labors in the mines not bringing him the results for which he had hoped, he turned his attention to flat boating on the river, a business which grew with passing years till in 1866 it was organized as the Sacramento Transportation Company, with a capital stock of $40,000 and with officers as follows: Capt. John H. Roberts, president; W. E. George, secretary; P. J. Harney, general manager, and H. K. Johnson, agent.
In Michigan, in the city of Detroit, Captain Roberts was born February 22, 1832, a son of John T. and Margaret (Williams) Rob- erts: In the midst of a venturesome youth, at the time when the Cali- fornia gold fever was at its height, it is not surprising that he became one of its victims. Going to Chicago, he there joined the outfit re- ferred to, which set out in due time with ox and horse teams. The journey was long and tiresome, filled with thrilling experiences, but it does not appear that any one of the party failed to reach his des- tination by reason of sickness, death or accident. After his indifferent venture as a miner and some valuable experience in flat-boating, Captain Roberts engaged in cutting and hauling lumber and logs to a mill, and for several years disposed of his entire product to the firm of Bacon & Lawler. To that humble beginning he traced the rise of his later considerable fortune, as at that time, owing to the unprece-
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dented growth of his river transportation enterprise, he was led to organize a company to handle all kinds of freight. Since its formation in 1866 until the present time, the Sacramento Transportation Com- pany has been an important factor in the upbuilding of Sacramento, and it has likewise benefited towns all along the river, its boats run- ning as far north as Red Bluff. Aside from his interest in this con- cern, Captain Roberts owned some of the best gold mines in the state down to the day of his death. Fraternally, he was a Mason of the Knight Templar degree, and Mrs. Roberts is a member of Colum- bus Chapter, O. E. S., of Sacramento, also a charter member and past president of Fair Oaks, W. R. C.
In San Francisco, in 1869, Captain Roberts married Miss Minerva Haskell Walrath, who was born in New York, a danghter of James and Esther (Oliphant) Walrath, also natives of New York. Mrs. Roberts came to California with her uncle, Austin H. Walrath. Soon after their marriage, Captain and Mrs. Roberts established their resi- dence at No. 717 N street, where the family home has been maintained to the present time.
JOSEPH E. PIPHER
The court commissioner of Sacramento county occupies a posi- tion of distinct importance and growing influence among the at- torneys whose broad talents and mental endowments bring them pro- fessional eminence throughout the entire valley. Scarcely yet in the prime of manhood's activities, with the promise of years of excep- tional usefulness before him, he faces a future attractive with the charm of an anticipated civic service and occupational success pre- dicted by his friends and well-wishers. Combined with an excellent and increasing knowledge of the law he possesses the advantage of expertness in stenography; indeed, his skill in that direction cansed him to be selected for court reporter in 1903, and the record he made in the position furnished convincing proof as to his accuracy, dispatch and professional knowledge. From reporter he was advanced by ap- pointment in 1904 to county court commissioner, and his long reten- tion in the office furnishes convincing proof as to the satisfactory nature of his services.
Claiming Illinois as his native commonwealth, Mr. Pipher was born in the city of Monticello December 1, 1876, and is a son of A. T. and Mary J. Pipher. He entertains but few recollections of the home of his earliest years, for he was only two when his mother removed to California, and since then he has been identified with the west, re- ceiving such advantages as its public schools afforded and enjoying
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its opportunities for advancement. During the spring of 1891 he was graduated from the high school of Modesto, and immediately afterward he had the good fortune to secure a clerkship in a law office of that place. In the midst of such an environment he was able to devote much of his time to the study of law, and at a very early age his knowledge of the leading law authorities was unusually accurate. He also gave considerable attention to the study of state laws, par- ticularly the laws of California, and in that way he early acquired authoritative knowledge along these interesting professional lines.
An identification of several years with the well-known law firm. of McCune & George in Sacramento afforded Mr. Pipher the best possible advantages for obtaining a knowledge of the law by actual experience. When not assisting the firm in the preparation of legal papers he was studying the books of their excellent library, so that when he made ready for his examination in 1897 it was with the grati- fying knowledge that his information was thorough and his prepara- tion as nearly complete as is possible. The supreme court granted him the privilege of practicing in the state, and he immediately be- came connected with the bar of Sacramento, where he since has made his home. From 1899 until 1903 he served as deputy to the district attorney, Hon. C. W. Baker, and then he officiated as court reporter for a year, but since 1904 he has given his time and attention to the duties of court commissioner, in which position his service has been exceptionally capable and satisfactory. With his growing profes- sional reputation there has been a rising Masonic prominence, which has brought him into leadership among the members of the blue lodge and chapter; in addition, he has identified himself with the Knights Templar and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Another important fraternity which enlists his co-operation is the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Side by side with his studies of the law have been his inquiries into political questions, and the opinions formed as the re- sult of his thoughtful consideration of public issues have brought him into active association with the Republican party in Sacramento. In this city occurred his marriage to Miss Marie Louise Mason, Febru- ary 14, 1900, and their union has been blessed with two daughters, Helen and Katharine, both of whom are now students in the city schools.
WILLIAM H. QUAAS
It has been the fortunate experience of Sacramento to attract to and retain in its citizenship a large number of men possessing in eminent degree the qualities that promote the prosperity of a munici- pality. Not the least conspicnous among these citizens is William H.
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Quaas, who as a junior partner in the Kane & Trainor Ice Company maintains an association with one of the leading firms of the city and by formulating plans for its growth at the same time advances the general civic welfare. Although still on the sunny side of life's prime, he has gained a thorough knowledge of many districts of California through business relations therein, and in addition he had the ad- vantage of travels abroad and study in the educational institutions of Germany. It is his opinion, the result of close observation in various localities, that Sacramento offers to men of energy advantages unsur- passed by regions whose attractions are more widely heralded.
With some degree of pride Mr. Quaas claims to belong to a pioneer family of California. His maternal grandfather, Adolph Heil- bron, came from Germany in 1850, and after a brief sojourn in St. Louis proceeded to the west during the era of mining activities. William H. was born in Sacramento September 6, 1884, and is a son of Henry and Carrie (Heilbron) Quaas, the former born in Germany and the latter in Sacramento, her death occurring in San Diego. The father now makes his home in Sacramento, where the grandfather, Adolph Heilbron, also resides. On the conclusion of the preliminary course of study in the California schools, Mr. Quaas was sent to the ancestral home in Dresden, Germany, where he attended school for two and one-half years, finding in the educational institutions of that country a degree of thoroughness and discipline most helpful to the formation of desirable traits in the students. Upon his return to California he spent six months in Fresno county on a ranch owned by the family, and from there went to Napa county, where he en- gaged in the growing of fruit and in general ranching for five years.
As an employe of the surveying corps connected with the Southern Pacific railroad in 1906 Mr. Quaas was sent to the Imperial valley on the border of Mexico and continued to work there until the San Francisco disaster, when he was transferred to the surveying depart- ment of the road at Santa Cruz. When he severed his connection with the road he formed an alliance with the Shattuck & Desmond Company, contractors, in whose interests he engaged in construction work on the coast road, meanwhile gaining much helpful information concerning the region in which he worked. During June of 1907 he secured a position as bookkeeper with the Buffalo Brewing Company of Sacramento, and continued in that capacity for three years, even- tually resigning to enter upon his present business relations. The death of Mr. Kane and the necessity of the settlement of his estate led Mr. Quaas to purchase his one-half interest in the Kane & Trainor Ice Company, an influential and prosperous concern that acts as dis- tributors for the Buffalo Brewing Company, the Union Ice Company and the National Ice & Cold Storage Company.
The personal tastes of Mr. Quaas are not such as to lead him into public affairs or partisan activities. Aside from voting the Re-
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publican ticket he takes no part in politics and at no time has he been willing to consider official honors for himself. A broad-minded sym- pathy with all efforts for the upbuilding of humanity leads him to maintain an interest in all denominations and creeds, but he is especi- ally generous in his contributions to the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is actively associated. Both are identified with the Saturday club, one of the leading social organizations of the city, and both are likewise solicitous to promote all measures for the per- manent advancement of the community. Prior to their marriage, which occurred September 28, 1909, Mrs. Quaas was Miss Abbie McKay, her family being among the well-known residents of Sacra- mento. The only child of the union, Abbie Capitola, was born in this city April 29, 1911. Friends won by years of earnest helpfulness maintain a deep interest in the success of Mr. Quaas and predict for him years of steady and growing prosperity.
J. K. MCKINSTRY
Could the pioneers of the west have discerned the future great- ness of the coast country they would have been overwhelmed by the comprehension of the vast changes in store for them and for their descendants. A few men of optimistic vision glimpsed the prosperity of the future and worked patiently with their eyes fixed upon the goal, deeming no hardship too great, no obstacle too weighty and no task too laborious that would advance the common welfare. That the spirit of the honored pioneer, J. K. Mckinstry, has been optimistic is abundantly proved by his long identification with Sacramento county. He arrived at Silver Lake on the 1st day of September, 1850, at the age of fifteen years, and soon afterward came to Sacra- mento county, where he has since labored in business undertakings of considerable importance. Upon his arrival he found a cosmopolitan population attracted hither by the discovery of gold. Few expected to remain in the west. The majority dreamed of finding a fortune in the mines and returning to their old homes with the fruits of their labors. To him, however, there came few visions of wealth. The mines did not fascinate him by their tempting opportunities. Instead, he chose the slow but sure path to success, that of ceaseless industry, unwavering perseverance and intelligent investments. The results testify as to the accuracy of his judgment.
Born in Rochester, N. Y., February 9, 1835, J. K. Mckinstry is a son of John and Jane (Kelso) Mckinstry, natives of Ireland, but from early life residents of the new world. The family removed to
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Chicago in 1837 and in 1840 settled among the pioneers of Galena, Ill., where the boy was sent to the public schools. At the age of fifteen years in 1850 he crossed the plains to California, crossing the Missouri river at St. Joseph May 4, and settled in Sacramento county, where he secured employment in the mines in Placer and Eldorado counties for four years, after which he became interested in ranching. Subsequently he secured a clerkship with the general mercantile firm of Whitaker & Ray in Galt, the ensuing eight years being spent as a salesman in their store. During 1872 he embarked in the livery business for himself and from that time to the present, a period of forty years, he has conducted the same concern, keeping on hand a general assortment of vehicles and teams for every use. In business he has been prompt, efficient and reliable, and the town has been benefited by his long residence therein.
The political views of Mr. MeKinstry always have been in sym- pathy with the principles of the Republican party and he has voted that ticket at all elections. As a rule he has refused local offices, but he made an exception in favor of service as justice of the peace, which office he filled for eight years in Dry Creek township. As justice he proved to be efficient and capable, impartial and well-informed. His incumbeney of the office was satisfactory to all concerned. In fra- ternal relations he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his varied activities he has been benefited by the prac- tical help and common sense of his wife, formerly Frances Armstrong, who possesses the sterling qualities inherited from a long line of British ancestors. Born in the city of London, England, June 14, 1841, she came to the United States in 1856 and shortly afterward landed in San Francisco. Since then she has continued to reside in Sacra- mento county. Her children, Clara, Elizabeth, Edgar, Charles and Thomas A., received the benefit of her devoted care, wise judgment and personal oversight during their early years, and each was thus wisely prepared for the responsibilities of life, while at the same time she gave generous assistance to charitable enterprises and was ever kind to the distressed or needy.
SAMUEL WILSON RUSSELL
From the humble position of freight handler with attendant.du- ties taxing the most sturdy physique to the important responsibilities of general freight and passenger agent represents a rise indicative of the forceful ability and stalwart determination that form the lead- ing characteristics of Mr. Russell, whose long association with the Northern Electric Railway Company has brought him into prominent relations with the people of Sacramento and at the same time has won for him the confidence of the officials of the road. Nothing short of
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positive ability could have made possible his advancement in railroad circles, and this ability has been manifested in his tactful associations with the people who are patrons of the road, as well as in his capable supervision of the company's interests.
Noting the events of especial importance in the life of Mr. Rus- sell, we find that he was born at Bovina, Delaware county, N. Y., July 25, 1873, and is a son of Andrew T. and Mary (McLanry) Russell. After he had completed the studies of the public schools he was sent to Eastman's Business college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he car- ried on a commercial course for a year. On his return to the home farm near Bovina he assisted in the care and cultivation of the same, but, not caring for agriculture as a life occupation, he left home at eighteen and went to Oneonta, N. Y., where for two years he man- aged a depot restaurant. Later he acted as clerk of the Central hotel in the same town. After two years as hotel clerk he resigned and came to California, where he engaged in the tea and coffee business, but this he sold at the expiration of six months and then left Los Angeles, his former place of business, for San Francisco, where he secured employment as freight handler on the Southern Pacific rail- road. A service of six months was rewarded by promotion to the local freight office, where he remained for four years, meanwhile working in various capacities. Following upon a service of one year as rate clerk in the general agent's office he was promoted to be contracting freight agent, and continued as such until October of 1907, when he resigned from the Southern Pacific employ and entered upon his present connection with the Northern Electric Railway Company. In addition, he is also general freight and passenger agent for the Sacra- mento and Woodland railroad.
While still a resident of the east Mr. Russell formed the ac- quaintance of Miss Annette Procter Smith, member of an old family of New York state and herself a cultured young lady of Oneonta, that state. They were united in marriage October 12, 1897. Their children are named Procter, Ormonde, Raymond and Helen. The sons are pupils in the Sacramento schools and are bright, intelligent lads, con- cerning whose future the parents cherish the fondest hopes. The only daughter is a winsome child two years of age. The family attend the Presbyterian church and contribute to missionary and philanthropic undertakings with generous spirit. Ont of a busy life, whose days have been filled with responsibilities of a business nature, it has not been possible for Mr. Russell to contribute largely toward civic prog- ress or political affairs, but he is stanch in his allegiance to the Re- publican party and in many ways has proved his devotion to the welfare of Sacramento. For years he has been identified with Ma- sonry in the blue lodge. Among the other organizations which enlist his interest and receive his co-operation may be mentioned the Sutter club and the Woodmen of the World.
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MELCHIOR H. DIEPENBROCK
The name of Diepenbrock indicates the Teutonic origin of the family of Melchior H. Diepenbrock. One of the most learned and dis- tinguished men of the family, a great-uncle and his namesake, rose to the rank of cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church and wielded a powerful influence at Rome and at the court of the kingdom of Prussia. Judge Anthony Diepenbrock, a nephew of the Cardinal, was a native of Westphalia and received a classical education at Heidel- berg. After a successful career as a lawyer in Westphalia he was chosen judge of his county and also served for years as superior associate justice of the district, holding his official positions until death terminated his usefulness. By his union with Caroline Von Besten he had a family of six children, among whom was Melchior H., born in Bocholt, Westphalia, Germany, December 30, 1858, and educated in the thorough schools of that land. He continued his studies of classics and philosophy until September, 1879, when he decided to cast his for- tunes in the land of the Stars and Stripes.
Coming to New York City and thence to Chicago, Mr. Diepen- brock acquired his first knowledge of the United States by contact with these two great cities, in the latter of which he worked as sales- man with a firm manufacturing barbers' supplies. After two years he came to California in 1885 and settled in San Francisco, where he was proprietor of a Catholic book and supply house. Later he founded the first German Catholic newspaper in that city and held the position of editor with the same until 1891, the year of his loca- tion in Sacramento. Here he engaged in the manufacture of cigars and superintended the factory of the A. Coolot Company until it was dissolved in 1902, since which time he has given his attention to his own large personal interests in and near Sacramento. Among his other valuable properties he planned and built the Diepenbrock theater, an elegant and substantial brick building on the corner of Twelfth and J streets. The building is very large and used exclu- sively for a theater, having a seating capacity of sixteen hundred and fifty people, and is the largest and most modern in the city, com- paring favorably with any theater building in the state of California.
Ever since he became a citizen of our country Mr. Diepenbrock has voted with the Republican party, but at no time has he cared for political distinction or official honors. Fraternally he holds member- ship with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In marriage he became connected with one of the prominent families of Sacramento, where July 18, 1888, he was united with Miss Clara Louisa Coolot. They are the parents of ten children. The eldest, Anthony B., born in 1889, has taken the degree of Doctor of Medicine at Harvard Uni-
MADiepenbrock
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versity, where the third son, Alois, is now studying for the same degree. The second son, Joseph C., acts as auditor of Diepenbrock theater. Marie, the eldest daughter, is a student in the Academy of the Sacred Heart at Menlo Park, Cal. Eugene, Alexander and Frank, aged respectively twelve, ten and eight years, are pupils in St. Joseph's Academy at Berkeley, Cal. Carola, the second daughter, attends the Franciscan school in Sacramento. The youngest members of the family circle are Victor and Clotilde, who are five and three years old respectively. The family are earnest members of the Roman Catholic Church and contribute generously to the maintenance of its charities and missions.
Nine miles south of Sacramento lies a farm of six hundred acres, which Mr. Diepenbrock owns and which he manages with the assist- ance of a capable superintendent. One hundred and fifty acres are under cultivation to asparagus, a like amount is in beans, while in addition about twenty-five hundred tons of alfalfa are cut annually. Modern improvements characterize the ranch, which is equipped for the dairy business. The barns are built with concrete floors and show the latest ideas in sanitation and convenience. The employes are accommodated in a house lighted by gas and equipped with baths and other conveniences. A cozy cottage is provided for the family of the superintendent.
Upon deciding to embark in the dairy business Mr. Diepenbrock purchased from dairies in the east some full-blooded Holsteins, exer- cising the greatest care in their selection. He brought in five carloads of young heifers, all Holsteins. Since then he has secured the services of Dr. Weldon, who in partnership with G. F. Heenan is now running the dairy part of the ranch. Subsequently Dr. Weldon superintended the purchasing, and the herd was increased to two hundred and seventy head of pure-bred Holsteins. This is said to be one of the most uniform dairy herds in the west. Eastern Holstein owners, visiting the ranch, have exclaimed with surprise upon the fine con- dition and uniform color of the stock. The most exacting diligence is exercised to provide pure, clean, fresh milk, and the utmost neatness is required of the employes in the barn. The milkers carry ten-gallon cans to a large tank, through which the milk runs into a trough and thence around ten cóils of pipe filled with cold brine. When the milk enters the cans at the bottom it has been reduced to a temperature of forty degrees, has also been aerified and made germ-proof by the elimination of animal heat. After the milk is cooled it is placed in an ice-box and kept at forty degrees until loaded, one-half hour before shipping time. At nine o'clock it is placed on board the Navajo and conveyed to San Francisco for delivery to customers in the early morning.
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