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 78
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November 5, 1902, Mr. Geiger married Mabel Laing, of Sacra- mento, who has borne him two children, Jeanette, Angust 22, 1906, and Marian, February 2, 1911. A Republican in politics, Mr. Geiger affiliates fraternally with the Elks and the Foresters. Mrs. Geiger is a communicant of the German Lutheran church. The family is pop- ular socially, and Mr. Geiger has in many ways demonstrated his pub- lie spirit.
GEORGE H. CLARK
This is essentially the time of the self-made man. Time was when self-made men were born in log houses and made their way to fame and to fortune without education except as they were able to obtain a little, ernde and unclassified, through the reading of mis- cellaneous books of Hobson's choice by the light of pitch-pine torches stuck in the ground beside them. Now the self-made man sets out along the devions way of business life with more education, but he has to encounter greater obstacles and more determined competition.
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He has no recollection of a log domicile, but his goal is a brownstone one Sacramento has many men of both classes, the old and the new. Among the latter is George H. Clark, who is forging ahead to eminence in the field of building, the visible evidence of the growth of every city.
Born in Stockton, Cal., in December, 1880, his education was begun in the public schools of his native city and continued in high school in San Mateo county, where he was duly graduated in 1899. Then he matriculated at Stanford university and was graduated therefrom, with the degree of A. B., with the class of 1904.
It was a business life rather than a professional life that Mr. Clark chose for himself. Coming to Sacramento he found employment with the Clark & Henry Construction Company as manager. Later he went in a similar capacity to the Sacramento Cement Company, dealers in building material, rock, lath and other merchandise in the line, and has been so successful and so useful to the enterprise that his connection with it is by all his friends regarded as permanent.
The captainey of the football team of 1904 at Stanford university fell to Mr. Clark. He is a member of the University club and of the Sutter club. The Republican party commands his political allegiance. He married Miss Esther Numan of Stockton, Cal., in July, 1905, and they have a son and a daughter, William R. and Katharine.
HON. ALDEN ANDERSON
Few men have been associated more actively and none more hon- orably with the financial and political history of Northern California than Hon. Alden Anderson, president of the Capital National bank of Sacramento, president of the Redding National bank at Redding, this state, vice-president of the Red Bluff (Cal.) National bank, and presi- dent of the Central California Traction Company, owners and oper- ators of the traction line between Sacramento, Lodi and Stockton. Wide has been the influence exerted by him in the banking circles of his portion of the state and varied as have been his commercial connections, they have been equalled by his intimate identification with the public life of the commonwealth and by his patriotic partici- pation in movements for the permanent upbuilding of his community. From the year 1902, which marked his advent into Sacramento's com- mercial life, up to the present time, his vigorous mind has been felt continually as an important factor in civic progress, his public-spirited labors have promoted the community welfare and his life has become a
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part of Sacramento that will find an enduring place in the annals of local history.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Anderson was born in Meadville, Crawford county, in October of 1867, while his parents were at their old home on a visit. The family have been identified with the west ever since the thrilling period of mining adventures, had an honorable identification with the east through several successive generations, and genealogical records indicate their patriotism and progressive devo- tion to the country. His father, J. Z. Anderson, was born in Mead- ville, Crawford county, Pa., September 30, 1829. At the time news came concerning the discovery of gold in California he was at the threshold of manhood, eager for adventure and ambitious to see something of the world. Immediately there sprang into his mind a determination to seek the gold mines, but it was not practicable for him to make the journey until 1852, at which time he left the scenes of happy youth for the untried conditions of the undeveloped west.
An uneventful journey via Nicaragua found its safe termination in the gold fields of Northern California, where the young Pennsyl- vanian endeavored in vain to find the hoped-for fortnne. Despairing of quickly gained wealth, in 1854 he turned his attention to ranching and settled in Solano county, where he placed a large tract of land under cultivation. Shortly before the birth of their son, Alden, he and his wife removed to San Jose, and from that time until his demise in 1897 he was interested in the raising of fruit and in the packing business. During the forty-five years of his residence in California he had witnessed remarkable changes and, as a patient, purposeful pioneer, he had contributed to the work of advancement by his per- sonal efforts. Cities had sprung up, as by magic; vast tracts of un- inviting lands had been transformed into productive ranches or re- munerative fruit farms; railroads had superseded the old-fashioned stage-coaches and the freighting vehicles drawn by mules or oxen. Out of the crude environment of the frontier had arisen a common- wealth great in resources, ambitious in purpose and rich in a citizen- ship of unsurpassed loyalty.
With such educational advantages as were afforded by the pub- lic schools and the University of the Pacific, Alden Anderson began to earn his own livelihood at a very early age, his first occupation being that of an assistant in the fruit business conducted by his father. During 1886 he went to Suisun City, Solano county, and embarked in the fruit industry for himself, later drifting from the growing of fruit into the shipping of the same. From that place he came to Sacramento in 1902, and afterward disposed of his interests in Solano county at intervals as opportunity offered. From his arrival in the capital city until the year 1908 he acted as vice-president of the Capital National Banking and Trust Company. When he disposed of his stock in that concern he removed to San Francisco, where, until
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July 1, 1909, he held office as vice-president of the Anglo-London Paris National bank, and later until February of 1911 served by appoint- ment as superintendent of the banks of California.
A pleasant and protracted continental tonr, which afforded him an appreciated opportunity to enjoy the scenery and historical at- tractions of Europe, Asia and Africa, was followed by the return of Mr. Anderson to Sacramento December 1, 1911, at which time he purchased the Capital Banking and Trust Company, and of this in- stitution, under its present title of Capital National bank, he officiates as president. The concern has a reputation for reliability and high principles of honor. The conservative spirit of its president appears in the cantion exercised for the protection of its depositors, yet he supplements caution with progressive principles, so that he lends timely aid to worthy commercial projects. His place in the banking circles of Northern California is one of assured influence and in- creasing responsibility. In addition to the organization of this popular institution of Sacramento, he helped to organize banks at Red Bluff and Redding and acts as vice-president of one and president of the other, besides being a director in both, as well as a member of the directorate of his city concern. As president of the company building the electric line from Sacramento to Stockton he has aided an enter- prise of the greatest importance to the permanent upbuilding of the rich agricultural region through which it passes. In addition, he holds the office of president of the Sacramento Hotel Company, and is con- nected officially or as a stockholder with other organizations important to the municipal growth. His home is graciously presided over by the lady whom he married at Rockville, Cal., March 2, 1893, and who was Miss Carrie L. Baldwin. There is one daughter in the family, Miss Kathryn, now a student in the state university at Berkeley.
Any account of the life activities of Mr. Anderson would be in- complete were no mention to be made of his association with the political history of the commonwealth. When only thirty years of age he began to serve his fellow-citizens in positions of honor and trust, and in every position accepted by him he gave the weight of his ripened counsel, keen intelligence and discriminating judgment. Elected to the assembly in 1897-99 and 1901, he soon became a force in the legislature. Measures for the benefit of his district received his stanch support, nor was he less earnest in the promotion of all move- ments for the welfare of the entire state. The possession of superior talents and the devotion displayed toward the state led to his selec- tion as speaker of the house in 1899, and he filled that difficult post with the same tact and ability displayed in every relation of public life. A still higher honor awaited him in 1902, when he was elected lieutenant-governor of California, and he filled that eminent position for four years, retiring with the good will of the party he had served with such fidelity and distinction. It would seem impossible for a
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citizen having so many duties in public office, in business connections and in banking circles, to enter with any activity into fraternal and social circles, but Mr. Anderson has not allowed his existence to be dwarfed into a tedious round of irksome cares. On the other hand, he has enjoyed society with the same enthusiasm characteristic of his identification with the other opportunities of life, and at different times he has been a leading member of the Bohemian, Pacific Union and Family clubs and Union League, all of San Francisco, and the Sutter club of Sacramento, also the Woodmen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Practical philanthropy, whether exercised privately or through the medium of fraternal organizations, receives his stead- fast support, and movements inaugurated and inspired by a desire to help the needy, to encourage the depressed or to uplift the fallen, have benefited by his sagacious counsel and sympathetic participation.
FRANK X. WIESENHOFER
The intimacy resulting from a lifelong identification with the city of Sacramento enabled Mr. Wiesenhofer to appreciate the pos- sibilities and understand the advantages offered by this part of Cali- fornia. Himself an energetic and capable young business man, he devoted his abilities to the perfecting of titles and the bringing down of abstracts. The office in which he learned the business and with which he was so long connected has the distinction of being the oldest title and abstract company in California and is the successor of other firms that were for years active in these specialties. Many interesting maps may be seen in the office, the oldest of these being a publication of 1854, which has the distinction of being the first official map of the county.
The family name indicates the Teutonic origin of the present American representatives, and Frank X., who was born in Sacra- mento April 19, 1878, was a member of the second generation resident in the new world. His father, Frank X. Wiesenhofer, Sr., was born and reared in Germany, and married Miss Anna Stumpf, likewise a native of that country. After he had crossed the ocean he settled in the east and secured employment at his trade of cabinet-maker. At one time he owned a manufacturing plant in Columbus, Ohio, but a lack of success led him to look for a more attractive environment, and during 1870 he came to California, settling in Sacramento. Here his son and namesake received a fair education in public and private schools and at an early age began to earn his own livelihood as a newshoy, from the age of eight years working in the abstract office
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delivering the daily transfer reports. After he had completed his schooling he entered the office of Buckley & Gerber, and ever since, until death, had been identified with the abstract and title business as a specialist. The attorneys in the city gave him credit for having the most thorough knowledge of titles of local property and the abstracts in the county, and those he prepared proved most satisfactory in even the smallest details.
The marriage of Frank X. Wiesenhofer was solemnized in Sacra- mento July 31, 1909, and united him with Miss Minnie James, a native of Nevada county, Cal., daughter of William and Anna (Brock) James. William James was born near North Wales and was a mining man in Nevada county. He was a Mason of the Knight Templar degree at Nevada City. Mrs. James was born in Nevada City, Cal., daughter of Thomas Brock, a native of England and a pioneer of California, coming via Panama. In the James family were two children; besides Mrs. Wiesenhofer is a son, William D. James, of Sacramento. The mother makes her home at the old family residence, No. 2530 M street. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wiesenhofer, Frank X., Jr., and Mildred Louise. From the time he attained his majority Mr. Wiesen- hofer was a stanch supporter of Republican principles and voted the party ticket at both local and general elections. While not caring for office himself, he believed it to be the duty of citizens to keep posted concerning the problems of the nation and the commonwealth, and accordingly was found to be well-posted in all measures of general importance. The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks had the benefit of his active co-operation in matters relative to the welfare of the local lodge and the maintenance of its charities. Mr. Wiesenhofer passed away in Sacramento November 6, 1912, and was interred in East Lawn cemetery with honors of the local lodge of Elks. Mrs. Wiesenhofer is a member of Naomi Chapter No. 36, O. E. S. Mr. Wiesenhofer was very charitable and always ready to give aid to the needy and less fortunate; each year he sent gifts to the orphanage, and his giving was ever quiet and unostentatious.
DANIEL H. CARROLL
Lifelong identification with his native city of Sacramento has developed in Mr. Carroll a depth of loyalty to its welfare not easily comprehended by one less familiar with the true patriotism invariably exhibited by native Californians. With justice he also might maintain considerable pride in his lineage, for he belongs to an ancient and honored race that lived and labored in the lowland of Scotland for
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several successive generations, the family having been residents of the city of Glasgow at the time of the birth of his father, J. J. Carroll, in 1845. At an early age the latter crossed the ocean from Scotland to America and proceeded west to California, with his mother, arriv- ing at Sacramento, January 23, 1850, when he joined his father, who arrived in California in November, 1848. He attended the schools of Sacramento, and upon starting out to earn his own livelihood secured a position as a clerk in the police court and from that he was pro- moted to be an officer on the police force. When eventually he re- signed from the force he became connected with the paint department of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in Sacramento. While still filling a position as painter he died in December of 1892. He had not accumulated much wealth nor had he attained to any great degree of prominence, yet in his own modest, unassuming way he had been successful and his prestige as citizen, neighbor and officer was a valuable factor in his popularity.
Daniel H. Carroll was born January 21, 1874, and attended the Sacramento public and high schools, graduating from the latter in 1890. For six years he served an apprenticeship to the trade of fresco painting and meanwhile acquired unusual skill in the work. At the expiration of the six years he engaged as foreman of the paint shop of the Southern Pacific Railroad. In that responsible position he continued successfully until March of 1911, when the board of super- visors appointed him county claim clerk and he then resigned the foremanship in order to devote his entire attention to official duties. In the midst of many duties he has retained his warm interest in the public welfare of the city, whose local charities and enterprises have the benefit of his generous contributions. Fraternally he holds mem- bership with the Elks and in politics he is independent.
ELWOOD J. WOODBURN
Among the most prosperous commercial men of Sacramento is Mr. Woodburn who, for years conducted a wholesale liquor house at No. 417 K street and who, as a progressive citizen, conscientious in his efforts to contribute his quota toward the development of the community, has won the commendation of his associates.
James Woodburn, father of Elwood J., was a native of New Hampshire, and enjoyed cousinship with Horace Greeley, famous in the world of literature and philosophy. In 1852 he immigrated to Amador county, Cal., with his family and later removed to Humboldt county, where he engaged in the hotel business and mining with
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success. On disposing of his interests he located in Sacramento, having secured a position as salesman with Powers & Henderson. Afterwards, he became associated with E. L. Billings, liquor dealer at No. 417 K street, taking over the business upon the death of the latter and successfully conducting his duties until 1901, when he passed away at his home. His wife, formerly Ann Wolfolk, a native of Missouri, survived him but five years, her death occurring in 1906. Of their six children, three are living: Elwood J., born in Sacra- mento, January 9, 1881; Charles G., of Alameda; and Mrs. Dora B. (Woodburn) Duden, who now resides in Los Angeles, Cal.
Upon completion of his public school course, Elwood J. Wood- burn entered the University of California, graduating high in the class of 1902, and having decided to learn the business in which his father had been so long engaged, immediately became identified with it, devoting himself faithfully to every phase of the work presented to him. Upon the death of his father, he took full charge of affairs, his wise judgment and careful attention to details enabling him to meet with continued success.
Mr. Woodburn was united in marriage in Berkeley, with Miss Eugenia Mouser, of Sacramento, the bond between them becoming still more precious upon the birth of their son James Tryon.
By virtue of his college career, Mr. Woodburn enjoys member- ship in the Sacramento University Club in which he takes an active interest, and is widely known as a young man of excellent business ability and congenial personality.
FREDERICK F. THOMSON
Frederick F. Thomson came to Sacramento from Richmond, Chittenden county, Vt., ten miles from Burlington. His father, Corey Thomson, who was an owner of land holdings, died in 1908, aged ninety years, and his wife, who was over ninety-five years at the time of her death, passed away in 1910. She was a descendant of John Fay, a heroic soldier at the Battle of Bennington, whose story has been told in Revolutionary annals. Her father, John Fay, was a captain in the war of 1812 and his grand-uncle, Samuel Thomson, was the founder of the Thomsonian system of medicine and was an extensive writer on materia medica.
There were five children in the family of the parents, of whom only Frederick F. and Herbert R. are living. The latter is identified as a stockholder in the Thomson, Diggs Company. He came to Sac- ramento several years later than did his brother. Frederick F. was 44
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born October 21, 1847, in Jericho, Vt. Like many young men of his day and place, he taught during the winters and worked on the farm in the summer. It is too cold in a Vermont winter for outdoor work, consequently the young men have some time for schooling. The farms are so poor that all the farmers must work all summer to get a harvest. California is a paradise compared with the eastern states. When Mr. Thomson arrived in Sacramento, in 1872, he went to the Whitcomb ranch and worked for his uncle, John Whitcomb, for about a year, then taught school in Sacramento until 1877. He was employed in San Francisco by the Frank Brothers, an agricnl- tural implement firm, and was sent by that company to open a branch store in Sacramento with R. L. Holman, at the corner of Second and J streets. He remained here two years when the firm became Hol- man, Stanton and Company, and after fours years under this manage- ment, Frederick and Herbert Thomson bought ont Mr. Holman. In 1900 the Thomson Brothers bought out Mr. Stanton and incorporated, taking in the Diggs Implement and Vehicle Company. The title is now The Thomson, Diggs Company, and in 1911 they built a large warehouse on Third and R streets, 160x160 feet in dimensions and four stories high, and here they have their offices. Located on both the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific Railroads, they have a large warehouse on Third street opposite their new building. Mr. Thom- son is the president and is very active in the management.
Frederick F. Thomson was married to Miss Sarah Anderson of Franklin, Sacramento county, and their children are Evelyn E., who is now the wife of George F. Fetherston, the latter the bookkeeper in the Boston Machine Shop at Oroville; Edith, wife of C. L. Mason, the hardware buyer of Thomson, Diggs Company; Fred F., Jr., an assistant in the office of the company; and Roxana, who died at the age of three years. Mr. Thomson is one of the pioneers in Odd Fellowship, having been an active member of that order for thirty- five years. He is an earnest believer in the doctrines of Christian Science and has been reader in the church of that faith for several years.
JAMES L. EMIGH
Californians native born are in all parts of the state demonstrat- ing their patriotism by leading in the race for business supremacy -- that natural and worthy competition of man with man which fructi- fies in the general weal. James L. Emigh of Sacramento is of this class, and as successful as any if we consider all things which make for and modify worldly success. He was born in Rio Vista, Solano
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county Cal., November 25, 1876, and attended the public school there till he was fourteen years of age. Afterward he was a student at the Oakland high school, and then entered Heald's Business College from which he graduated in 1893. Prepared then to enter upon a business career he became bookkeeper for E. I. Upham Company, continuing in that position with the successors of the company, Bird & Dinkelspeil, general merchants in Collinsville, and was thus employed until 1900.
In the year 1900 Mr. Emigh went to Suisun City, Cal., and bought the James Kerns hardware store, which he eventually consolidated with the Suisun Implement Company, of which he was vice-presi- dent and assistant manager till 1910, when he sold his interests and removed to Sacramento, where in that year he went into business with his brother under the firm name of Emigh Hardware Company. They handled a general line of hardware and builders' supplies, a venture in which he prospered as well as he did in his former ones. In July, 1912, they consolidated with the Capital Hardware Company and incorporated Emigh, Winchell, Cline Company, of which Mr. Emigh is vice-president and manager. They are now located at No. 308-10-12 J street, the former location of the Thomson, Diggs Com- pany. The business has been enlarged and they handle a full line of agricultural implements, as well as heavy and shelf hardware. Fours floors are occupied by the firm in a building 60x160 feet in size.
Mr. Emigh was made a Mason in Rio Vista Lodge No. 208, F. & A. M., is a member of Solano Chapter No. 43, R. A. M., Vacaville Commandery No. 38, K. T., and Islam Temple, N. M. S., San Fran- cisco. He married at Rio Vista December 1, 1897, Miss Harriette M. Church, a native daughter of Rio Vista, and three children have come to them : James L. and Albert T., twins, and Colby S. Wherever he has lived Mr. Emigh has taken a really helpful interest in all that has pertained to the general welfare of the people. with whom his lot has been cast. In a way public spirit is indirect self-interest, but there are so many men who do not recognize this fact that the burden on those who do is heavier than it ought to be. Mr. Emigh is one who has never sought to escape that burden, and usually he has not stopped to consider whether he was to be the gainer even indirectly.
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