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 84
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The marriage of Mr. Dalton united him with Miss Hannah New- mark, of Benicia, who is an earnest member of the Episcopal church and past matron of Silver Gate Chapter, O. E. S. She is a daughter of Dr. Valentine Newmark, deceased. Mr. Dalton is a member of
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Benicia Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., also Benicia Chapter, R. A. M. He is one of the older members of the Native Sons, being past presi- dent of Benicia and Martinez parlors, and at present a member of Sutter Fort parlor. He is also past chancellor of Benicia Lodge No. 99, K. P. No. 1 Veterans' Knights of Pythias, of Sacramento, the only lodge of its kind in the entire world, numbers him among its members. Through his efforts as promoter and first president a company was organized, known as the Sacramento Labor Temple Association, which bought property on the corner of Eighth and I streets and erected a substantial structure of five stories for the ex- clusive use of all labor unions and kindred organizations. As at- torney for the company he managed every legal phase of the work, and in addition he attended to the financing of the enterprise, which in itself was no small undertaking. For some years he has served as secretary of the organization, and this, together with his work as attorney, makes him still a leading factor in the management of the company's holdings.
Mr. Dalton is the father of three children: Valentine, a struc- tural steel architect in the employ of the J. G. White Construction Company; Hazel Florence, stenographer for C. K. McClatchy, and Alfred Percival, an automobile machinist.
JAMES STRACHAN
A descendant of sturdy, thrifty and canny Scotch parents, James Strachan was born in Glasgow, and was brought by his parents to the United States in 1884, when about twelve years of age. His education was begun in his native land and was continued in the pub- lic schools of Chicago, Ill., in which city the family located. Young Strachan learned his trade of upholsterer in the Pullman shops at Pullman, Ill., and then traveled in various states until 1895, when his parents and their children came to California and made a new home in Sacramento. There he found work at his trade in the Southern Pacific shops and labored profitably ten years, saving money with a view to going into business for himself whenever a good opportunity should offer. His ambition was realized in 1906, when he opened up a business of his own at Eleventh and J streets, and there he pros- pered for two years, when his place was burned out, and he re- opened at No. 1301 J street. Here he has ever since carried on a suc- cessful business in furniture and upholstery.
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On November 16, 1898, Mr. Strachan's fortunes for life were united with those of Miss Celia Ryan, sister of the late Frank D. Ryan, a well-known Californian, once a candidate for election to represent his district in our national congress and long in the public service as clerk of the California senate and legislature, and daughter of John C. Ryan, long prominent as a contractor and for many years city trustee. The elder Ryan, of Irish extraction, came to California in 1849 among the pioneers, and almost at once gained recognition as a leader in business and in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Strachan have three children, John R., born in August, 1899, and Hugh and Winni- fred, twins, born in March, 1907. Mr. Strachan is a Republican in his political views. Socially he affiliates with the Woodmen of the World and the Caledonians.
C. ALLISON TELFER
The era during which accurate genealogical records were lost in the midst of traditional lore found the Telfer family tilling the soil of Scotland, where their broad tracts in the highlands and their large flocks of sheep gave indication of their prominence. When religious persecutions arose their devotion to their creed as well as their high standing in the country endangered their lives. For that reason they crossed over to Ireland, took up land and started anew amid the less encouraging conditions presented by the Emerald Isle. Hoping to better their condition in the new world, representatives of a later generation crossed the ocean to America and settled on the bleak hills of Nova Scotia, where a scanty livelihood was secured by the tilling of the soil.
Of Nova Scotian birth, C. Allison Telfer became familiar with agricultural conditions in that country through the difficult experi- ences of boyhood labor. The rugged coast, the stern climate and the barren hills, although not without a wild beauty of their own, ren- dered the task of earning a livelihood so devoid of pleasure that he determined to seek another location. With that object in view he moved to Massachusetts and settled in the vicinity of Boston, where, finding agricultural efforts little less toilsome than in his native peninsula, he turned his attention to the lumber business. In the search for more satisfactory climatic conditions he came to Califor- nia in 1889 and during October of that year arrived at Fresno, where he secured a position with the Fresno National bank. Two years later, in recognition of his ability, he was promoted to the office of
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cashier, and for eleven years he continued in the same position, filling it with such tact, sagacity and intelligence that universal regret was expressed among depositors when ill-health forced him to resign in 1902. The physical need for outdoor exercise led him into the ir- rigation business and for some time he took charge of the systems near Fresno, after which for four years he engaged in the raisin business in that valley.
The responsibilities connected with the management and secre- taryship of the California State Agricultural Society, to which posi- tion he had been elected, led Mr. Telfer to remove to Sacramento in April of 1911, and since then he has managed the society headquarters in the capital city, from which point he works through the entire state in the interests of agricultural progress. He is a firm believer in California as an agricultural center, finding the soil and climate much better adapted to such work than the soil and climate with which he became familiar in early life. While living in the east he was united in marriage in 1884 with Miss Evoline Bennett, a native of Beverly, Mass., and a descendant of one of the prominent old families of Revolutionary fame. They are the parents of two chil- dren, namely: Abbie, who was born July 2, 1888, and Gerard, whose birth occurred at Fresno October 5, 1894. The family have a high social standing in Sacramento and likewise number many friends among the people of Fresno, their former place of residence. The Republican party has received the support of Mr. Telfer ever since he became a voting citizen and his support has been given to move- ments for the progress of the party. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks.
JOHN LAWTON
Very few of the old settlers still living in Sacramento county can claim an identification therewith covering a longer period than marks the useful citizenship of John Lawton, one of the honored pioneers of Folsom and still a resident of the locality which he saw in 1851 for the first time. Many have been the changes witnessed during his long association with the west. He has seen the then young state develop into one of the greatest commonwealths of which the Union may boast. He has seen towns spring up with incredible rapidity and ranches bring of their increase for the support of the people
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and the prosperity of the country. The wilderness he has seen to bloom as a rose and the desert made fertile by the modern develop- ments of irrigation. Nor has he only seen this, but, more important still, he has borne his quota in all the task of advancement and with other public-spirited pioneers he may say "All of which I saw and part of which I was."
The early memories of John Lawton cluster around scenes far different from those of his later years. Born in Dover, Me., Decem- ber 9, 1827, he was familiar from infancy with the woods and lakes of Piscataquis county and often wandered along the stream of that name, finding in forest and river many a lesson of great import never learned in the public schools. He was thus a learner both in school from printed text-books and out-of-doors from that great teacher, Nature, whose lessons may be early learned and always appreciated. As a teacher for one term he found an early use for his wide fund of information, while as a farmer he became familiar with the agri- cultural conditions of Maine, the right care of the soil, the most profitable crops and the general mode of correct cultivation of lands. However, he was not satisfied to remain in that state, and during young manhood joined the throng of emigrants to the west, coming via New York City and Panama and then on the steamer Gold Hunter, landing in San Francisco in June, 1851. Thence he came to the vicinity of Folsom, where he engaged in mining for six years with fair suc- cess.
The village of Ashland on the north side of the American river, opposite the present town of Folsom, was the scene of an important business enterprise on the part of Mr. Lawton, who in 1859 opened a grocery at that point. For a long period he carried on general merchandising, and it was not until 1900 that he eventually retired from such activities. The old store building is still standing intact. Since he gave up his business he has devoted his time to the care of his properties, he and his wife now owning more than seven hun- dred acres in Sacramento and Placer counties, some of which is well improved, while a part is yet in the raw state of nature. When he married in San Francisco, May 16, 1868, it is worthy of note that he and his bride, who was Mary A. Kittredge, began housekeeping at the same location where they now reside. Mrs. Lawton was a native of Waterville, Me., and had engaged in teaching for a time prior to her marriage, while since coming to Sacramento county she has been an active force for good, a contributor to local movements and especially warm in her allegiance to educational progress.
In politics Mr. Lawton always has been a loyal Republican, prog- ressive in his tendencies, optimistic in his faith in the future of our country and well informed regarding public affairs, yet never willing
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to hold office or to accept political responsibilities. For years he has been prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Folsom Lodge No. 62, in which he has served through the chairs and is past grand, besides having represented the lodge in the office of district deputy and in the encampment, where he is past chief patriarch. His long and useful life has been given to the upbuilding of his town and county and he and his wife have a wide circle of friends, not only among the old settlers, but among those of the younger generation who appreciate the extent of our indebtedness to the pioneers for the present general well-being and the growing prosperity.
EDWARD S. JONES
Western men who have spent years in the acquisition of expert knowledge concerning heating and lighting plants have stated, with a unanimity of opinion that bears valuable testimony as to its ac- curacy, that few men possess a more thorough knowledge of the building and operation of gas plants than does Edward S. Jones, now the superintendent of the gas works at Sacramento. Although still a young man, scarcely yet in the prime of manhood's usefulness, he has already risen to prominence in his chosen occupation, and he has enjoyed a long experience that enhances the value of his services to any company. In point of years of identification with Sacramento he is practically a newcomer, but in point of work ac- complished for the benefit of the city, few of the older residents of the place can equal his record. His has been a service of practical helpfulness in one of the most important departments of public utilities.
Mr. Jones belongs to an old eastern family and was born in Bos- ton, Mass., in April, 1886, but at the age of four years he was brought to California by his parents, E. C. and Mary (Stratton) Jones, who settled in San Francisco. As a boy he was characterized by re- tentiveness of memory and mental acumen. His studies were learned with ease, and he advanced so rapidly in school that during the spring of 1900 he was graduated with a high standing. Immediately afterward he entered the California School of Mechanical Arts at San Francisco, where he studied with enthusiasm and unceasing devotion until, at the completion of the regular course, in 1905, he received a diploma from the institution. Immediately afterward he became a surveyor in the construction department of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and besides filling that position he also acted
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as timekeeper. During 1906 the company transferred him to their branch at Martin's Station, San Francisco, where he served with re- markable efficiency as assistant superintendent. From 1907 until 1910 he served as foreman of the street mains of San Francisco, but during July of the latter year he was promoted and transferred to his present place at Sacramento. In September following his trans- fer to Sacramento he was married in Los Angeles to Miss Allene Brooks of that city. While not displaying any partisanship in politi- cal matters, he has decided preferences along these lines, and is in hearty sympathy with Republican principles. Fraternally he holds membership with the Improved Order of Red Men.
JULIUS S. JACOBS
So much of his life has been passed within sight of some of the western mountains and within sound. of the busy hum of western in- dustry that Mr. Jacobs feels himself to be a typical Californian in everything except the accident of birth. The vast resources of our commonwealth have awakened his admiration. The business possi- bilities he believes to be unsurpassed by those of any section of the United States. The climate offers further inducements to residential permanency. All in all, the country possesses exceptional charm, and he has not been dilatory in recognizing its attractions. Since he was brought to the coast during his early childhood he has resided in Yolo and Sacramento connties, has received their educational ad- vantages, enjoyed the friendship of many of their most worthy citi- zens and has become an important factor in commercial affairs in the village of Folsom, where he has his home.
A number of successive generations of the Jacobs family lived in New York City. Samuel Jacobs, who was born in the eastern metropolis, received his education there and entered into its business circles. Through diligent application and energetic mastery of busi- ness details he rose in the commercial world until he was widely known and respected as the head of an extensive wholesale house. The failure of his health caused him to retire from the many activ- ities that had engaged his attention. Accompanied by his wife and son, Julius S., he came to California in 1884, in the hope of being physically benefited by the change. However, the hope was not des- tined to be fulfilled, and in that year, 1884, his death left the family alone on the western coast. Friends had given them of help and sympathy in their bereavement, and they had become attached to their surroundings. No return was made to the east, and Mrs. Jacobs
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still resides in Sacramento. She was a native of New York, and bore the maiden name of Anna Gratz.
From New York City, where he was born April 2, 1882, Julius S. Jacobs was brought to California at the age of two years. His early recollections are of Yolo county, where he attended the Wood- land grammar and high school. At the age of seventeen years he completed the course of high school study and took up the task of earning a livelihood. Various occupations have since then engaged his attention. For seven years he held an important position as clerk to one of the justices of the supreme court. Of recent years he has acted as manager of the grocery business owned by Senator Philip C. Cohn, of Folsom. In this responsible post he has proved efficient and trustworthy, resourceful and energetic. Among the business men of Folsom his standing is high, and his credit is excellent in the banking institutions of the country. Wherever he is known, there he is also honored and esteemed. By his marriage, December 27, 1906, to Miss Dora Fannie Cohn (who is the daughter of Senator P. C. Cohn, she being a native of Sacramento county), he has two daugh- ters, Alice and Dorothy. Politically he votes with the Republican party. In fraternal connections he holds membership with Sacra- mento Lodge No. 6, B. P. O. E., Washington Lodge No. 20, F. & A. M., in Sacramento, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Folsom and the Eagles at Sacramento. Among the members of all of these organizations, as among the peo- ple in business circles, he has an established reputation for trust- worthiness and honesty as well as for the kindred business qualifica- tions that ensure commercial progress.
FRANK J. RUHSTALLER
The present manager of the Sacramento Brewing Company rep- resents an old and honored family of Switzerland. The ancestral home was in the beautiful valley lying between the lake of Luzerne and Zurich lake, and the thriving city of Einseideln remained the headquarters of several successive generations of the family. In that town lived and labored Frank and Josepha (Ochsner) Ruhstaller, the former a hat-maker during early manhood, but later an indus- trious follower of the occupation of dairying, which was a leading industry in the locality. Among their children was a son who bore his father's name and whose birth occurred at Einseideln November 8, 1847. After he had completed the studies of the common schools
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he served an apprenticeship to the brewer's trade in Canton Berne. During July of 1862 he boarded a steamer at Havre, and at the close of an uneventful voyage landed in New York, whence he proceeded to Louisville, Ky., where he worked in the Falls City brewery. In a short time he crossed the Ohio river to New Albany, Ind., where he was made foreman in the Reising brewery before he was eighteen years of age.
Resignation from that position in Indiana was followed by a short period of employment at Louisville, from which city, in 1865, Mr. Ruhstaller came to California via New York and Panama. About the 24th of August he landed at San Francisco, came thence to Sac- ramento and began to work in the City brewery; six weeks later lie was made foreman. After a year as foreman he entered the employ of the Pacific brewery. Later he bought an interest in the Sutterville brewery, where he carried on a partnership with Joseph Bechler for seven months until the high water forced all work to cease. Returning to the Pacific brewery, he resumed Ins connection with George Ochs until the latter sold to Louis Knauer, and he then worked for the new owner two years. For one-half year he operated the St. Louis brewery with Fritz Futterer and Henry Alt- peter. Next he drove a wagon for the Pacific brewery for two years, after which he was made foreman.
Learning in 1873 of the illness of his father, Mr. Ruhstaller went back to the old Swiss home, but found that his aged parents had passed away during his own homeward journey. August of 1873 found him starting back to California. Soon after his arrival in Sacramento he opened a place of business opposite the Metropolitan theater, and there he continued until he bought the City brewery in November, 1881. This brewery had been established about 1859 by Mr. Hilbert and William Borchers. When Hilbert died, in March of 1865, his interest was bought by Charles Schwartz, and he in turn retired from the firm in about 1887. When Mr. Ruhstaller secured control the plant was operated by horse-power and had a capacity of fifteen barrels a day, but he increased the daily capacity to sixty- five barrels and at the same time maintained the reputation previously acquired for fine quality of the product.
In 1867 Mr. Ruhstaller became a member of the Sacramento Hussars and from 1878 to 1882 he held a commission as captain. At the April shoot of 1889 in the Foresters' Gun Club he won the gold medal. Elected an honorary member of the Sacramento Rifle Club, he gave to the club the cannon presented by General Sutter to the Swiss Rifle Club. While a salute was being fired with the cannon a serious accident occurred, A. Klebe's arm being blown off. The cannon was thereupon buried and $1800 collected for the victim of the unfortunate accident. A prized souvenir in the possession of
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Captain Ruhstaller was the flag presented, with an address by Governor Bigler, in 1854, to the Swiss Rifle Club by the members of the Schutzen Club of Canton Zurich, Switzerland.
The marriage of this pioneer of Sacramento occurred in this city on Christmas Day of 1870 and united him with Miss Charlotte Oeste, who was born in Germany, but crossed the ocean at an early age and grew to womanhood in Milwaukee. Of their children Otto, ยท Wilhelmina and Charlotte died in childhood and six attained ma- turity, Anna, Frank J., Minnie, David, August, and Charlotte. Dur- ing 1868 Captain Ruhstaller became a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F .; later he identified himself with Tehama Lodge, F. & A. M., the Sacramento Turn-Verein, Sons of Herman and the Verein- Eintracht. His eldest son, Frank J., was born in Sacramento, No- vember 5, 1872, and attended the city schools from the age of six until fifteen, after which he served an apprenticeship to the brewing business with his father. For seven months in the year 1891 he engaged as brewer with the Fredericksburg brewery of San Jose, after which he resumed work in Sacramento. During 1893 he at- tended the Chicago Brewing Institute and at the expiration of six months was graduated, whereupon he returned to Sacramento and became brewer in his father's plant. Since 1906 he has been manager of the Sacramento Brewing Company. By men competent to judge he is considered one of the most experienced and capable representatives of his trade in the city. When at leisure from the many duties connected with his responsible position he finds enjoy- ment in the society of his friends and in the companionship of his wife, who prior to their marriage, on November 22, 1899, was Miss Alice M. Root; he finds further pleasure as well as means of help- fulness through his identification with various leading fraternities and social organizations of the city, among them the Masons, Elks, Turn-Verein and the Sutter Club.
HON. JOSEPH STEFFENS
To some extent a review of the life of Mr. Steffens presents a commercial history of Sacramento during the past forty or more years. In that long era of steadfast development no movement of civic importance lacked the appreciative support of his keen mind. No progressive project, trembling in the balance of civic doubt and indecision, failed to secure the co-operation of his resolute and dauntless spirit. Even his own weighty business enterprises with their long train of attendant responsibilities were not allowed to
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narrow his influence with their cumulative cares or to lessen the loyalty of his citizenship. Even when he withdrew from commer- cial enterprises, he did not relinquish his participation in local pro- gress. Always in an unostentatious and unobtrusive but positive manner he was a contributor to the advancement of city, county and commonwealth. Native sons of Sacramento who have reached middle age as citizens of this community cannot recall a time when his name was not familiar to them or when it did not stand for uprightness of character and sincerity of citizenship.
Although a resident of the United States from the period of his earliest recollections, Mr. Steffens was of Canadian birth and parentage and was born in York, province of Ontario, January 15, 1837, being a son of Joseph and Mary A. (Graham) Steffens. As early as 1840 the family removed from Canada to Illinois and settled among the frontier farmers in Carroll county, where they labored diligently to transform a tract of government land into a productive and profitable farm. Into this difficult task every member of the family was called, hence the young lad became familiar with hard work in early life. However, not being naturally robust in health or rugged in constitution, it became evident that he would not be able to engage actively in agriculture. This seemed a mis- fortune, for in that period of our country's history farming was the principal occupation and was also considered the most profitable. As in many careers what seems a handicap proves a blessing in disguise, so it was with him; the inability to stand the physical strain incident to farming caused him to turn his attention to busi- ness and thus his life work allied him with enterprises suited to his tastes, talent and temperament.
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