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 53
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The Diepenbrock ranch furnishes an ideal location for a dairy plant. It is partly surrounded by a canal and adjoins the river, so 29
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that almost the entire tract has sub-irrigation, a most important feature to a dairyman. The owner applied to the federal government for permission to build a wharf near his place, so that steamers could stop to take shipments. He is the pioneer milk shipper from this part of the county and his success caused many to predict that within a few years a daily milk boat would be run from San Francisco up the Sacramento river. No mention has been made of the young stock, which is one of the specialties of the ranch and which already has begun to augment the size of the herd, besides contributing to its value by the development of some exceptionally fine young pure-bred animals. The success of the dairy may be attributed to the sagacity of the owner, his willingness to expend large sums in an effort to secure the finest strains of milch cows and his skill in securing to assist him on the ranch men of intelligence, energy and trustworthi- ness.
ARTHUR H. MCCURDY
Judge MeCurdy, as they familiarly call him, is one of the younger men among the successful lawyers practicing in Sacramento. He was born in Selkirk, Manitoba, July 21, 1879, his father, James McCurdy, being an American and a bridge builder, and at that time engaged by the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company. His death took place in 1893. The mother of Arthur MeCurdy was Helen Prescott, who is still living in Sacramento. She is a descendant of Colonel Prescott, who was in command of the Americans at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, and she is also a direct descendant of Martha Winslow, one of the famous Mayflower passengers. Mrs. McCurdy possesses some price- less mementos of those long ago people and days, heirlooms from her famous ancestors, in silver spoons and other articles in that metal. She is of a line that possesses some of the most noted names in Eng- lish history.
The three children of this family are Arthur H., the subject of this sketch, who was educated in the city schools. Leaving the Sacra- mento high school in 1901, he then entered the law office of J. Frank Brown, and shortly after continned his law studies in the office of Judge J. B. DeVine and Frank D. Ryan. On May 16, 1905, he was admitted to the bar of the state and November 11, 1906, was admitted to the United States District Court, and he has practiced law since his admission. Taking great interest in politics he naturally attended state and county Republican conventions. He was elected justice of the peace of Sutter township in November, 1902, by a large majority, being the youngest justice of the peace elected in the county. During
Charles A Boss
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his term on the bench of the justice's court only three of his decisions have failed of confirmation by the higher courts. After the expira- tion of his term as justice of the peace he was not a candidate for re-election, but since then has given all his attention to his practice and has met with unwonted success, having now a large clientele throughout the county. Walter J. N. is an attorney at law in Sac- ramento. Clara Mande, the sole daughter of the family, resides with her mother.
In fraternity Mr. McCurdy is a past Chief Ranger of the For- esters of America, Past Chancellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
MRS. MARY ROSS-ROAN
Difficult indeed would it be, in any enumeration of the names of citizens identified with the upbuilding of Sacramento from the pioneer period to the present century, to mention anyone more loyal to the city's advancement, more zealous in behalf of its institutions or more progressive in the support of important enterprises than has been Mrs. Mary Ross-Roan during the more than fifty years of her associa- tion with the citizenship of Sacramento. A decade prior to the ad- vent of the "iron horse" in the west she came to this then unknown region in company with her parents, Rev. William and Berzilla (Mc- Ginnis) Kendall, having made the long journey from Havana via Panama to San Francisco with uncomplaining fortitude and endured its privations with a cheerfulness characteristic of her throughont all of life's anxieties. When she finally arrived at Sacramento in 1862 she found a small village around which could be seen apparently inter- minable stretches of barren, unproductive country. To a young girl who had mingled happily in her native commonwealth of Illinois, the promises of future enjoyment did not seem alluring, yet she found much to interest her mind and delight her eyes. From that time to this she has manifested a steadfast loyalty toward her adopted city and has exhibited the true western spirit of progress.
Four years after her settlement in the west Miss Mary Kendall became the bride of Charles H. Ross, a gentleman of eastern birth and honorable lineage, cherishing the inherited traditions of the east. yet entering the cosmopolitan activities of the frontier with a genial heartiness that made him one with every companion. His had been an interesting frontier existence, and in later days, surrounded by the comforts of a refined civilization, it was interesting to hear him nar- rate tales of the frontier showing the startling contrast between that
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period and the present. Contributing his quota to the general de- velopment, he is entitled to remembrance as one of the substantial men and true patriots whose sagacity and enterprise laid the foun- dation of civic advancement.
Born in Portland, Me., in 1828, Charles H. Ross early displayed a desire for travel and a distaste for the conventional surroundings of his own neighborhood. While yet a mere boy he determined to be a soldier, and as this course did not meet with the approval of other members of the family, he took matters in his own hands and ran away, a procedure that terminated with his enlistment in Stephens' regiment in the Mexican war and his participation in military tactics common to the day. As early as 1847, before gold had been discovered or California had been brought before the attention of the people of the east, he came across the plains and settled permanently in the sparsely settled valley of the Sacramento. With a partner he took up twelve hundred acres of raw land about ten miles from the city of Sacramento, and until 1864 he engaged in the stock business, but two years after his marriage he removed into town and here he remained until his death in 1876. Meanwhile he had identified himself with many movements for the public welfare. From the first he held stock in the Sacramento bank, an institution in which he maintained the warmest interest and to whose substantial footing he contributed of his influence with positive effect. It is a statement worthy of note that after his death his widow succeeded him as a member of the board of directors in the banking concern, and she now has a record of not missing a meeting of the board in the past twenty-eight years, with the exception of two leaves of absence. During 1901 she became the wife of William Roan, a native of New York and a gentleman pos- sessing many worthy attributes of character. One of her chief pleasures has been the beautifying of her home, and a stranger, noting with admiration the artistic arrangement of lawn and flowers, would promptly decide that the lady of the house possessed the most refined taste; such an opinion would be deepened by a view of the interior with its aspect of culture and simple elegance.
Although many years have passed since Mr. Ross entered into eternal rest, he is still remembered by the pioneers of Sacramento. Their universal testimony is that he possessed mental attributes of a high order, tact and consideration of others in all the associations of life and the deepest devotion to the happiness of his wife, for whom he manifested a sincere affection that death alone could destroy. The philanthropic principles of Masonry won his allegiance during young manhood, and for years he held membership with the blue lodge at Sacramento. At one time he was chosen to fill the office of super- visor, and in that responsible position he proved himself to be efficient, resourceful and trustworthy. He was president of the Sacramento Pioneer society, of which he had been a member many years. As a
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member of the levee commissioners he was most helpful, and it is said that, when sufficient help could not be secured on needed occasions, he was accustomed to give his services gratuitously, and no workman surpassed him in skill, speed and accuracy. Whatever promised to promote the welfare of Sacramento was sure of his co-operation, and he allowed no citizen to surpass him in loyalty and true patriotism.
JOHN McMAHON
It is indicative of the industrious and energetic disposition pos- sessed by Mr. McMahon that since he came to California he has pro- vided for a large family, has given to each fair educational advantages and at the same time has accumulated a neat competency, thus provid- ing for his declining days the comforts of existence. The fair degree of success which has rewarded his laborious efforts is peculiarly worthy of praise because he had no education to aid him, no capital to furnish the desired "nest-egg" of his early enterprises and no friends to lend him the encouragement of their good wishes and prac- tical counsel. All that he is and all that he has may be attributed to his fixedness of purpose and sagacity of judgment. Of recent years, since his withdrawal from business cares and connections, he has spent his days quietly at his comfortable home, No. 2314 Z street, Sacramento, where he welcomes with genuine hospitality the friends of pioneer experiences who still survive.
The childhood memories of John McMahon cluster around a little cabin in Ireland, where he was born and where he learned the first difficult lessons of self-reliance and self-support. He can scarcely recall the time when he did not desire to emigrate to America. The opportunities offered by the new world were a favorite theme of conversation among the struggling inhabitants of the country where he lived, and as soon as old enough to work independently he crossed the ocean to Massachusetts. For seven years he remained in the old Bay state and followed the trade of a blacksmith, in which he soon became an expert. During 1861 he came via the Isthmus to Cali- fornia and settled in Sacramento, where he witnessed the disastrous flood of 1861-62, as well as many other catastrophes incident to the early history of the city. At the time of his arrival there was a small town with few stores that were substantial in construction. The surrounding country presented an unattractive and unpromising as- pect, but with the optimism characteristic of his entire life he decided that without question Sacramento and indeed the entire valley had a great future before them.
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It was the happy fate of Mr. McMahon to have for his wife a woman his equal in courage and optimistic spirit, his counselor in times of discouragement, his companion in the early hardships and privations of their younger years and his loving helpmate from their union in 1857 until her death in 1890. Born in Canada, she bore the maiden name of Mary Morgan and was a member of an old family who came from Ireland. Nine children were born of their marriage, and six of these are still living, all natives of Sacramento and all now residents of this city. The eldest daughter, Rosa, is the wife of I. H. Pierson. The others are John B., Mary E., Agnes, Lawrence T. and Catherine, the last-named being the wife of Theodore DeWitt. For a long time after his settlement in Sacramento Mr. McMahon engaged in the blacksmith's business and carried on a shop of his own, but eventually he relinquished active labors and since then has lived somewhat in retirement. From youth he has been identified with the Roman Catholic church, and when the Catholic Knights of Amer- ica founded an organization of their own in Sacramento, he became an active member and interested worker. As a citizen he is truly progressive. The honorable record which he made in business and the generosity which he displayed toward those in need as well as the deep interest in civic affairs maintained up to the present time have combined to give him the confidence of his entire community.
WILLIAM HENCKEN
Among the successful business men of Sacramento is William Hencken, who was born in San Francisco, August 1, 1874, the son of John and Anna Hencken, natives of Germany, who came to California on a sailing vessel around Cape Horn in the '50s. The son attended the public schools of his native city until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he started out to work for himself, and for a period covering seven years he filled several store clerkships, only relinquish- ing the duties of one position to assume another higher up and more remunerative. Thinking to better himself he came, in 1898, to Sacra- mento, where he accepted the first position that was offered him, that of driver for the Union Laundry and this he filled for four years, meanwhile becoming familiar with that line of business. He was instrumental in organizing the Sacramento Laundry Co., now located at Front and O streets, of which he is vice-president, and the same steady devotion to business he has maintained during the last eight years has helped to make the company a success.
Mr. Hencken's first marriage was solemnized November 15, 1899,
محماد
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to Miss Lulu Thielbahr, by whom he had two children, Victor and Carl. Three years after her death he married her sister, Miss Edna Thielbahr, of Sacramento, and they have a daughter, Margaret.
William Hencken is a member of the Foresters and the Woodmen of the World, and is an earnest fraternity man. He is politically a Republican, broadminded and progressive.
HON. PHILIP CHARLES COHN
That mind possesses a mastery over environment and that a determination of will often wrests victory from the most adverse circumstances are proved by a recital of the experiences of Mr. Cohn, who from a boy without means or backing has risen to success and influence. Born in the city of New York July 6, 1854, he was the son of Charles and Dora (Cosminski) Cohn.
Philip C. Cohn was taken in his infancy by his parents to Mobile, Ala., where he had relatives, and where his father took his wife be- cause of ill health, but the mother passed away in 1858, having been taken with yellow fever there. Leaving the son with these relatives, Charles Cohn with his daughter Fannie returned to New York City, in- tending to return for his son as soon as suitable arrangements could be made. Abont this time he became interested in California, and leaving his little daughter with relatives in Springfield, Mass., in 1860 he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama and arrived at San Francisco. Remaining there but a short time he then went to Shasta county, and at the time of the Frazer river excitement went to the Caribon mines. Subsequently he engaged in business in Victoria, B. C., for a short time, then returning to California, and in Sacramento embarked in the mercantile business in 1863. In 1872 his daughter Fannie joined him and was later married to Max Marcuse of Sacramento, her death occurring in San Francisco in 1883. Charles Cohn spent the last years of his life under the care of his son and passed away in 1898 in San Francisco, at the age of seventy-four years and eight months.
The early life of P. C. Cohn was a hard one for a child. His ad- vantages for education were meager owing to the Civil war troubles, and at a very tender age he was obliged to go to work as a messenger in order to aid the family with whom he lived. In 1869 he removed to West Point, Miss., where he learned the mercantile business. This being the era of "Carpet-bag Government" he underwent the hardest experiences of his life at that time, which led him to lose his faith in mankind, and here his love for Democracy was born and broadened. In all this time he had had only two years' schooling, but notwith-
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standing this hardship he learned the common-school branches and be- came qualified to carry on business of any kind. This was due to his remarkable aptitude in learning from observation and from reading. Few men surpass him in quickness of comprehension. His keen men- tality grasps facts with astonishing readiness and retains them with accurate precision; to this quality and to his force of will is due his present substantial degree of success.
During all these years he had lost all trace of his father because of the war, but in 1873, through a Mrs. Kaiser, formerly of Mobile, Ala., who had moved to California, he learned that his father and sister were in Sacramento, and getting into correspondence with them he made his way to that city, landing in May of 1874 with $1.15 as his total capital in the world. However, though poor in purse, he was rich in hope and energy. Securing employment at once with Acker- man, Block & Co., of Sacramento, he remained with them for six years, during which time he formed close ties with social and business circles which he continued to hold ever afterward. Removing then to San Francisco, he traveled from there as salesman for a wholesale crockery company. Locating in Folsom in 1884, he bought an interest in the business owned by Simon Cohn, his father-in-law, who in 1883 had introduced him to his future wife. At the death of Simon Cohn in 1895 Mr. Cohn bought the widow's interest, and since then has conducted the store with intelligence, sagacity and discrimination. On October 29, 1885, he married Miss Alice Martha Cohn, a native danghter of Folsom, who was educated at Perry's Seminary, Sacra- mento, and their union was blessed with seven children. Dora F. is the wife of Julius Jacobs, who is associated with Mr. Cohn in business, and they have two children, Alice and Dorothy; the other children are William M., of San Francisco; Mabel J., Selma, Charles P., Simon A. and Henrietta, the last five being at home.
The Democratic party has received the staunch support of Mr. Cohn ever since he attained his majority and began to make a study of public questions. Concerning national problems he keeps well posted and in local matters he also maintains an intelligent interest, favoring measures for the common welfare and contributing to enter- prises of undoubted valne to civic development. He has been a mem- ber of the Democratic State Central Committee for about ten years, and for a longer period a member of the Democratic County Central Committee. In 1904 he served as delegate from the Third Congres- sional district of California to the National Democratic convention in St. Louis, Mo., at the nomination of Alton B. Parker, and on his return was nominated by acclamation as senator for Sacramento. Thongh running sixteen hundred votes ahead of his ticket, he met with defeat, owing to the large Republican majority that year. In 1912 he was nominated in the primary election for state senator on the Democratic ticket, receiving a vote of five to one, and was
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elected by a majority of two thousand one hundred and seventy for the session of 1913. This majority in such a strong Republican county indicates the implicit confidence placed in Mr. Cohn by the people, and he well merits this honor.
Various fraternities have enjoyed the benefit of his genuine help- ful spirit. Included among these are the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, B'nai B'rith, and in Masonry he is a member of Natoma Lodge No. 64, of which he is past master, and the Scottish Rite, having risen to the Thirty-second degree; he is also a member of Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco. He is past patron of Natoma Chapter No. 233, O. E. S.
As he has prospered through his mercantile and other interests Mr. Cohn has proved his devotion to California by investing in prop- erty here. His holdings are varied and important. Some time since he purchased sixty acres of bare land in the Orangevale district, and this is now under cultivation to oranges, olives, grapes and prunes. In addition he owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Eldo- rado county, also seven acres on the shores of Lake Tahoe, which in the near future will be improved with a fine modern hotel. His city properties are no less important than those in the country and in- clude San Francisco real estate, a business block in Sacramento, resi- dence and business property at Folsom, and other holdings in various localities. As a director in the Consumers' Ice and Cold Storage Com- pany he directs an important corporation, in which he holds a large interest and which is proving to be a well-conducted and important concern. He was one of the organizers of the Capital Fire Insurance Co. of Sacramento, of which he is a member of the board of directors, also serving as its treasurer, this company being one of large propor- tions and on a successful financial basis. A life member of the Good Roads Association, he was a member of the commission that built the road from Folsom to Sacramento. He was appointed by the board of supervisors as one of five commissioners to attend the Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1915 from Sacramento county, being treasurer of the commission. He is a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Folsom, and is also one of the directors in the Orangevale Water Company.
With all these varied interests, in the midst of his triumphs Mr. Cohn never forgets the days of uphill work and the difficulties that beset people who meet with misfortune and failure, and he has always been found helpful to those who have been less fortunate, being ever ready to devote his time and means to their assistance. In this he has a ready helpmeet in his estimable wife. She is a member of the Natoma Chapter, O. E. S., and was made the first president of Fern Parlor, Native Daughters of the Golden West. She is a refined, cul- tured lady, whose excellent musical ability and many personal charms are much appreciated by their many friends in the county.
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HARRY C. MUDDOX
A special atmosphere of interest envelops the men who have been identified with the commercial, manufacturing and material upbuilding of the west. A difficult although ardent task confronts the one who attempts to delineate their life activities and to bestow adequate appre- ciation upon the high inspirational force of their characters. Most pronounced is this lack of adequate expression in instances of per- sonal association with the best interests of a city or commonwealth through a long period of eventful years, and such an instance appears in the successful enterprises of Mr. Muddox. From the time of his arrival in Sacramento, May 4, 1872, when a child scarcely six years of age, he viewed the environment of his future home, up to the pres- ent time he has witnessed the steadfast development of the community, has felt the impetus of western progress and in the work of advance- ment has been an important factor through various lines of endeavor. Many movements inseparable from the history of the capital city have witnessed his association and been promoted by his indefatigable earnestness. It is impossible to measure the height or sound the depth of his connection with local affairs; suffice it to state that no measure has been presented of importance to the general welfare that fails of his support and he may with justice claim that in some respects his own history is the history of business progress in Sacramento.
An honorable lineage indicates the identification of the Muddox family with England during past generations. In the year 1862 George and Isabelle Muddox, who had been born, reared and married in the city of London, crossed the ocean to the United States and settled in Illinois, where Harry C. Muddox was born in the city of Alton, Ill., August 26, 1866, he being the eldest in a family of seven children. In a few years his parents became dissatisfied with their prospects in Illinois and determined to seek a new location in the far west. The decision made, they made preparations and then crossed the plains on one of the early overland emigrant trains that required fourteen days to reach Sacramento. During 1878 Mr. Muddox started a pottery and sewer pipe factory on the corner of K and Thirtieth streets and there he remained in business until his death in 1899, when Harry C. purchased the entire plant from the estate. Since then he has continued as sole owner and manager. From the time of taking over the plant he began to make improvements. The entire works were remodeled. The work of rebuilding necessitated much expense and consumed much time, but its value is easily apparent to the most casual observer. Today the plant ranks as one of the largest, most complete and modern sewer pipe works on the Pacific coast, and the remarkable development may be attributed to the sagacious manage- ment of Mr. Muddox, who having entered the pottery in early life
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