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 86

Author: Willis, William Ladd
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1098


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 86


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trustees of the Napa State Hospital. His father, William B. C. Brown, grandfather of our subject, was a large planter in the Blue Grass State, extensively interested in tobacco growing. When John Quincy Brown, Sr., first came to this state from Kentucky, crossing the plains, he remained at Placerville for a time, but seeking a broader field for his activities he found it in Sacramento. His first employment here was in the wholesale store of Senator Stanford's brother. Shortly after coming here he married Miss Anna Mary Williams, the daughter of Joel P. Williams, a prominent mining man of that period. They had two children, John Quincy and a girl who died at the age of six years.


John Q. Brown was born in Sacramento. Much of his boyhood was taken up studying in the city schools, and he also attended the St. Augustine Episcopal Military Academy at Benicia and the Golden Gate Academy at Oakland. After graduating from the University of California with the degree of Ph. B., he joined his father who was then general manager of the Capital Gas Company, and acted as assistant manager. During the years he was with the company he served in different positions. From 1892 to 1897 he was assistant clerk of the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco. He graduated from the Hastings College of the Law in 1901, with the LL. B. degree, and went to Kansas City, where he remained five years. November 28, 1888, he married Miss Jessie Brown, daughter of Dr. J. T. Brown of that city. Their two children are Harry Edgar, born December 24, 1889, a graduate of Stanford University, and John Quincy Brown, Jr., born March 17, 1897, and not attending Hastings College of the Law. In 1896 Mr. Brown returned with his family to Sacramento. He joined Engene Wachhorst, the present district attorney of Sacramento county, and at this date is deputy district attorney.


Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are popular club people in their home city. He is a member and is president of the University ('lub, and is also a member of the Sutter Club. Mrs. Brown holds . member- ships in the Tuesday and Saturday Clubs.


EGBERT ALFRED BROWN


The west has become endeared to Mr. Brown through the associa- tions of a lifetime. Born in the state of Nevada, reared in Oregon and identified with California ever since early manhood, he repre. sents all that is progressive, resourceful and alert in the vast region west of the Rockies. Mental attainments conspicuously rich


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and social qualities pre-eminently attractive have brought him in- finence in local affairs and especially in the order of Masons, whose organization he has served with taet as past master of the blue lodge, past high priest of the Royal Arch chapter and past thrice illustrious master in the council, meantime utilizing these offices as avenues for the exercise of generous philanthropies and the other worthy measures that form the unwritten creed of the order.


The family residence was at Virginia City, Nev., for some years and during that time occurred the birth of Egbert Alfred Brown, September 20, 1878. In very early life he was taken to Oregon by his parents and there he attended the common schools, completing his education in text-books, although since then he has been a con- stant reader and thoughtful observer, thereby greatly broadening his fund of information. When in 1895 he accompanied his mother to Sacramento he secured employment as clerk in a department store and continued there for some time. During 1898 he entered the California State Bank as an office assistant, beginning in the institu- tion at the lowest salary and in the most humble capacity of any of the employes. However, he soon proved his worth and rose by gradual promotions to the position of assistant cashier. When the bank surrendered its charter and became merged into the present institution, the California National Bank, he remained as a trusted employe and still holds the position of assistant cashier.


The comfortable home of Mr. Brown is brightened by the pres- ence of his three children, Eleanor, Phoebe and Oliver. His wife, who was Miss Pearl Jackson, is a native daughter of California and a member of an honored pioneer family of Sacramento. Her father, Oliver Jackson, for many years held the office of chief of police in Sacramento. Mr. Brown's grandfather, George Bruce, for a long period acted as landlord of the Bruce house in this city. As early as 1852 he crossed the plains accompanied by his young wife and settled in Sacramento, whose gradual growth he helped to promote by his own energetic and capable business efforts. In the annals of the city his name holds a place of prominence as that of a loyal pioneer .. Supplementing the labors which gave him prominence in the frontier era, his grandson, Egbert A. Brown, supports the meas- ures which he believes to be best. adapted to the permanent welfare of the community and in politics gives steadfast allegiance to the Republican party, while fraternally he has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in addition to his identification with the Masons previously mentioned. The Episcopal Church re- ceives his generous support in its maintenance and charitable efforts and for years he has been one of its communicants in the Sacra- mento parish.


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JOSEPH I. BRUNSCHWILER


An association with the banking business that has been of comparatively brief duration nevertheless by its success proves the admirable adaptability of Mr. Brunschwiler to such activities. When he became a clerk in the California National Bank not many years ago he assumed his comparatively unimportant duties with a zeal and intensity that won prompt recognition. Various promotions were accorded him in quick succession and in January of 1911 he became assistant cashier, a responsible position which he now fills with tact, intelligence and dispatch, displaying the same earnest de- votion to the welfare of the bank and the interests of its depositors that characterized him in less important functions. The confidence of customers has been won and retained through his painstaking attentiveness to even the smallest details and his intelligent mastery of the most important financial problems.


It is a matter of pride with Mr. Brunschwiler that he can claim California as his native commonwealth and San Francisco as the city of his birth, his parents, Joseph A. and Caroline Brunschwiler, having been residents of the western metropolis when he was born May 3, 1879. The schools of the city afforded him fair educational advantages; at the age of fourteen years he became a student in St. Ignatius College and continued in that institution until 1897, when he was graduated with an excellent standing. Afterward he spent two years at Lick Polytechnic, where he took special studies. Abont 1899 he became an office employe of Hale Bros., in their large dry-goods establishment at San Francisco, and he continued in the same place until 1904, meanwhile proving an accurate accountant and intelligent assistant. An offer of a position as cashier with Hale Bros., in Sacramento, led him to this city, where he held an important position with the firm until April 18, 1906, resigning at that time in order to enter the banking business. He is still in the prime of his mental powers and physical activity, so that many years of successful connection with financial interests may be pre- dieted for him.


A few years after his arrival in Sacramento and the year after his entrance into banking clerical work, Mr. Brunschwiler estab- lished a home of his own in this city, his marriage in September of 1907 uniting him with Miss Mildred Hunt. Two children now grace their home, Mildred and Cyril, both sturdy native Califor- nians who have brought much joy into his household. While Mr. Brunschwiler has not displayed partisanship in polities, he is known as a stanch believer in Republican principles and as a consistent sup-


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porter of men and measures pledged to the upbuilding of the party. The Sutter Club claims him among its active members. Being a firm believer in the future prosperity of Sacramento, it has been his policy to promote civic projects to the fullest extent possible, and in every question of expansion he is to be found on the side of progress and advancement.


GEORGE SPENCER BULLOCK


The significance of lifelong identification with California ap- pears in the loyalty uniformly exhibited by the native sons of the commonwealth. Patriotic devotion to the land of his birth forms one of the chief attributes in the character of George Spencer Bul- lock, the son of an honored pioneer and himself a native of Yolo county, where his earliest recollections are associated with sights and scenes around the then insignificant village of Woodland. The Hesperian College, which in 1861, his father had assisted in found- ing, afforded him the advantages of a classical education and later he completed a commercial course in the Woodland Business College, of which he is a graduate. Availing himself of these excellent edu- cational opportunities, he laid the foundation of a broad fund of in- formation and by habits of continued studiousness and close obser- vation he has become the possessor of a high degree of culture. To some extent he has specialized in the acquisition of knowledge, being particularly interested in financial problems and in monetary mat- ters. From early manhood he has been connected with the banking business, first at Woodland, where he clerked in a bank for two years, and later in Sacramento, where he entered the national bank established by D. O. Mills and from a clerkship won his way to the position of paying teller. After twenty years of service he re. signed this position in November, 1911, to fill the offices of director and cashier of the Citizens Bank of Oak Park to which he liad been elected. After six months with this firm he again resigned, having been elected assistant cashier of the Fort Sutter National Bank, the duties of which office he assumed in May, 1912. It may be predicted that future years will witness a steady advance in his prominence in banking circles, for he possesses the keen insight, fine discrimination, conservative judgment and unfailing tact that almost invariably bring success to men in every line of activity. Some years ago le purchased the old homestead of five hundred and ninety acres on Grand Island from the estate, and this he has now under process of perpetual reclamation. The tract is devoted to the


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raising of grain, alfalfa and garden produce. Aside from a grow- ing prestige in financial circles he devotes some of his leisure hours to the activities of the Sutter Club and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Under Governor Gillett he was appointed a member of the board of commissioners of Sutter's Fort and at the expira- tion of his first term he was again appointed to the position by the same executive.


In studying the lineage of the Bullock family we find that they are of English stock and southern associations. As early as 1830 Thomas and Agnes (Ware) Bullock (the latter of Scotch-Welsh descent) removed from Kentucky, their native commonwealth, and settled in Illinois, taking up a large tract of raw land in Woodford county near the county-seat of Eureka. He was one of the first settlers in his locality, and he named the county Woodford from his native connty in the Blue Grass state. From there Mr. Bullock went to the front to assist in subdning the savages during the progress of the Black Hawk war. Both he and his wife continued to make their home in Woodford county until they died. Of their nine children James P., the third in order of birth, was born in Woodford county, Ky., May 24, 1829. During hoyhood he attended country schools in Illinois. Later he matriculated in a Presbyterian college near Han- nibal, Mo., and continued his studies there until he was graduated at the age of twenty. It was his father's ambition that he should become a physician and accordingly he was sent to Palmyra, Mo., to begin the study of medicine, but the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia changed all of his plans and caused him to relinquish all intention of becoming a professional man. Having no money to pay for the trip to California he began to teach school and thus se- enred the necessary funds, so that early in 1850 he crossed the plains with an expedition of Argonauts. When he arrived in Sacra- mento in July he had only seventy-five cents in his possession. How- ever, he was strong and willing, hence a lack of capital did not dis- courage him in the least. The first job he found was that of cutting cordwood on L and M streets in Sacramento. Next he engaged in teaming and freighting to the mountains. While thus engaged he went on a trip to Downieville, Sierra county, became interested in the place, and later opened a butcher shop there. During the fall of 1852 he located on the Sacramento river in Sutter county, taking np a claim on what he supposed to be government land, but when he discovered it to be a grant he removed to Yolo county. During February of 1858 he bought five hundred and ninety acres fifteen miles northeast of Woodland, on Grand Island, and there he en- gaged in stock-raising and general farming.


As assessor of Yolo county James P. Bullock served from 1864 to 1870 and the tact with which he discharged the responsibilities


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of the position won for him many friends. During 1870 he was elected sheriff of Yolo county by a large majority, and at the expira- tion of his first term he was honored by re-election to the office. Meanwhile he had established his home in Woodland and had built a substantial residence on Court street. After having served as sheriff for two terms he retired to private life and resumed the management of his farm, also superintended the Colonel Hagar land grant in Yolo county, which he had managed in previous years. After having been an invalid for five years he passed away Sep- tember 25, 1888. He was buried in Woodland cemetery with Masonic honors under the auspices of the Knights Templar. Politically he always voted with the Democratic party. For years he served as a trustee in the Christian Church and was one of its most influential workers in Woodland. His wife likewise was prominent in the activ- ities of that church and she was also for years a leading worker in the Woodland Chapter of the Eastern Star.


The marriage of James P. Bullock and Mary Jane Powell took place in Sutter county November 9, 1854. Six children were born of their union, namely: Agnes, Mrs. C. F. Thomas, of Woodland; George Spencer, whose name introduces this articles; Lela; Fred, proprietor of the Bullock clothing store in Woodland; Mrs. Mary Nelson de Merritt, and Mrs. Helen Fregidgo. During 1902 Mrs. Bullock and those of her family yet at home removed to Oakland, but later became residents of San Francisco and she is now living in that city, retaining, however, her property interests in Yolo county. Her father, Jeremiah Powell, was the son of a Virginian, of Scotch descent, who served in the Revolutionary war as a boy and long afterward gave further service to his country during the war of 1812. This Virginian patriot spent many years of his later life in developing land in Kentucky, where Jeremiah Powell was born and reared and whence he removed to Missouri during the original settlement of that state.


During the summer of 1853 Jeremiah Powell and Capt. Levi Blunt crossed the plains with five hundred head of cattle. In the expedition were Mrs. Powell and three children. At Downieville they were met by James Powell, a brother of Jeremiah, and with him the journey was completed on horseback to Sacramento. Taking up land in Colusa county Jeremiah Powell began to raise stock, but he later discovered the land to be a grant, hence he removed to Kellogg's slough near Colusa, where he bought a tract of raw land. The development of the farm was a difficult task and occupied the remaining years of his busy existence. On that farm he died in 1887 at the age of eighty years. Fraternally he was a Mason, in politics a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Christian church. His first marriage united him with Amanda Noe, a native


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of Kentucky, her father, George Noe, having removed to that state from Virginia and later making another move to Missouri, where he died. The second wife of Mr. Powell was Priscilla Ferguson, a native of Virginia. In April of 1900 she passed away at the age of ninety-four. Mrs. Bullock is now the sole survivor of the Powell family, her elder brother, George Spencer, having died in Mexico, while the younger brother, Charles Shelton, passed away at the old homestead in the vicinity of Colusa.


GUY W. BUTLER


The untiring perseverance and determined will characteristic of the English race form noticeable attributes of the character of Mr. Butler, while his American nativity is indicated by his resistless energy that knows no weariness. Success to him has come solely through the exercise of his inherent qualities. Extraneous circum- stances have not contributed to his aid in the forward struggle. Orphaned by the death of his father when he was quite young, forced to make for himself every opportunity to advance, and handicapped by lack of thorough educational advantages, he never- theless rose out of obscurity into prominence and out of poverty into prosperity. When therefore any mention is made of the deserving citizens of Folsom his name stands foremost in the list.


Several generations of the Butler family have made their homes in America. Richard T. Butler, who was born at Liverpool, Eng- land, in 1854, came across the ocean about 1861 in company with his parents and settled in Iowa. During early years he attended school and also learned the machinist's trade. In his chosen occu- pation he became unusually skillful. Few excelled him in expert- ness with machinery or with tools. For a considerable period he followed his trade at Marshalltown, Iowa, where he married Miss Flora Fagg, a native of Iowa, and where their son, Guy W., was born October 16, 1883. From Iowa he removed to Albuquerque, N. Mex., where he died in 1889. Up to the time of his demise and for a long period he had been engaged as master mechanic for the Santa Fe Railroad. Through skilled workmanship he gained a high reputation among other employes and also with the officials of the road. After he had passed away his widow came to California and settled in San Francisco, where she continues to make her home.


The various removals of the family and the death of the father, upon whom had rested the burden of the support of wife and chil-


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dren, prevented Guy W. Butler from acquiring the education which he desired, but habits of reading and observation partially have atoned for his early deprivations. At the age of fourteen years he left school to earn his own livelihood. In a very humble capacity he secured employment in a clothing store in Sacramento. Chance indicated his life occupation, but none could have been better adapted to his natural tastes and unexpressed preferences. After he had worked for a long period in the employ of others he began to desire a business of his own. That purpose brought him to Folsom, where he arrived November 7, 1907, and where he has since resided. By diligent application he has built up a clothing busi- ness that is known for miles in every direction. The honorable business principles of the proprietor have won the confidence of customers. It has been his aim to treat every customer with such honesty and square dealing that they repay his efforts by becoming regular patrons of the store. The demands of business keep him closely occupied and leave no leisure for participation in politics, but he is a liberal Republican and a well-informed man. Various fraternities have received his allegiance and helpful co-operation, the leading organizations of his association being the Eagles and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.


ANDREW CARLAW


The ancient, semi-artistic trade of the stone-cutter has engaged the attention of many men of talent and of business ability, who have left to the world a lasting record of their achievements as builders and decorators. These reflections are inspired by a mental review of the successful career of Andrew Carlaw, of Tenth and R streets, Sacramento.


It was in Maddiston, Stirling county, Scotland, that Mr. Carlaw was born. After having acquired a practical education in such public schools as were available to him in the vicinity of his boy- hood home, he learned stone-cutting under the instruction of a competent old-country master, and he worked at it in his native land until 1881. Then he came to the United States, which he believed would afford him a better field for his activities than was open to him at home, and settled in Sacramento. Soon, in partnership with his brother, he established a stone-yard in a convenient locality, and they carried on a successful business in the handling of general stone until October, 1898, when his brother died; since then Andrew


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Carlaw has been manager of the enterprise. He has increased the business and is well and favorably known throughout the somewhat extensive territory which he reaches with his trade.


In his political views Mr. Carlaw is a Republican. Well-in- formed upon the political issues of the day and their bearing on our economic conditions, he believes that the best solution of many of the people's troubles will be found in the outcome of the work of that party, and to it, its men and its measures he yields most loyal allegiance. In his social affiliations he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.


WILL J. CARRAGHAR


The high degree of intelligence displayed by the members of the Sacramento bar has received wide recognition and deservedly so, for it is an accepted fact that the attorneys of this city stand unsurpassed for thorough knowledge of the law, conscientious study of jurisprudence and familiarity with even the smallest details connected with the successful practice of the profession. While in point of years Will J. Carraghar ranks among the youngest mem- bers of the bar, in point of professional information and mental capacity his rank is among the highest, and already he is winning the recognition which his talents abundantly justify. The spacions quarters in the Nicolaus building which he has occupied since August 1, 1911, afford him a central location and at the same time offer the appointments so valuable to dispatch in modern profes- sional enterprises.


It has been the good fortune of Mr. Carraghar to enjoy identifi- cation with Sacramento throughout his entire life. Educated in its schools, familiar with its advantages, cognizant of its opportuni- ties and acquainted with its incomparable citizenship, he presents a type of present-day progress and of twentieth-century patriotism. His father, Edward J., member of the firm of Buekmann & Carraghar, is one of the proprietors of an exclusive and elegant restaurant in Sacramento and also for ten years or more has been prominently identified with civic affairs as trustee from the ninth ward. During his active participation in public affairs he served for ten years as chairman of the finance and judiciary committee. In political views he favors the Democratic principles and his son likewise gives allegiance to the same party.


After having completed the studies of the public schools up to the ninth grade Will J. Carraghar entered the Christian Brothers


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College on K street, Sacramento, where he completed a four-year course. Next he became a student in St. Mary's College at Oakland, this state, from which he was graduated in 1907 with a high stand- ing. Immediately afterward he began to study law with Judge C. E. MeLaughlin and continued his readings under the late Judge DeVine of Sacramento. At the age of twenty-two he was admitted to the bar and immediately began the practice of his profession for himself. Already he has won a high standing among the attorneys of the city and the promise of a growing success gives favorable indication of his future prominence in the law. Throughout all of his life he has been a believer in the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church and his contributions to religious undertaking's are generous. The Knights of Columbus, a popular fraternal organization, has the benefit of his active identification, while socially he holds mem- bership with the University Club and the Sacramento County Bar Association. His marriage took place October 19, 1907, and united him with Miss Irma Scott, daughter of Jed M. Scott (member of the firm of Scott & Gilbert, manufacturing druggists of San Francisco) and a great granddaughter of Josiah Johnson, one of the pioneer railroad builders of California. Three daughters bless the union, Helen Mary, Irma Margaret and Catherine Ellen.




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